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UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE   COLLECTION  OF 
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AN    ADBRK8S 


DELIVERED    BEFORE 


THE  TWO  LITERARY  SOCIETIES 


'©SJ2^7IiIES^'l?l•  (^W  S3=®IB1?I1I  (^jL^^U^U^i^^ 


HOX.  ROBERT  STRANGE. 


Junk,  1837. 


RAL.EIGH  : 

PRINTED   BY  J.  GALES  AND  SOIf,  OFFICE  OF  THE  RALEIGH  REGISTER. 

1837. 


/ 


ii  15)  IB)  ^  2^  ©  S  0 


Gentlemen  of  the  Dialectic  and 

Philanthroi'ic  Societies: 
Twenty-two  years   have  passed  away,  since,  on  my 
first  visit  to  these  classic  shades,  I  had  the  honor  of  being 
received  into  one  of  your  Societies. 

Since  tiien,  busy  time  hath  wrought  many  changes: — 
Manij,  did  I  say?  Rather  let  me  speak  out  the  tiutli,  in 
all  its  startling  force,  and  declare  that  nothing  now  re- 
mains precisely  as  I  saw  it  then.  It  is  true,  piles  of  wood, 
brick  and  stone  are  still  standing  ;  but  even  they  have  been 
vastly  changed,  both  by  improvement  and  decay.  It  is 
true,  they  occupy  the  same  hill,  surrounded  by  the  same 
vallies,  as  in  former  times ;  but  even  in  these,  changes 
have  been  wrought,  botii  by  Nature  and  by  Art:  Here, 
some  luckless  tree  liath  fallen  by  the  axe  or  tlie  tempest, 
and  its  branching  honors  have  crumbled  into  dust :  there, 
its  more  favored  fellows,  protected  by  Providence,  have 
struck  deeper  root  and  stretched  forth  their  tutelary  arms. 
But  such  changes  as  these  would  scarcely  attract  the 
eye  of  the  Philosopher,  or  touch  the  heart  of  the  Philan- 
thropist, were  they  not  accompanied  by  other  changes,  ap- 
pealing to  the  latter  with  a  silent,  but  affecting  eloquence. 
Where  are  the  bright  glances  of  youth,  then  sparkling  from 
the  seats  you  now  occupy?  "Where  the  voices  of  gladness 
wliich  echoed  through  yon  halls  and  these  ancient  groves? 
And  above  all,  wliere  the  young  hearts  pulsating  with 
health,  and  happiness,  and  hope,  and  confidence  ?  The 
bright  glances  of  youth  yet  sparkle  from  those  seats  ;  voices 


4  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    BY 

of  gladness  yet  echo  through  yon  halls  and  these  ancient 
groves ;  and  young  liearts  are  here  beating  with  health, 
and  happiness,  and  hope,  and  confidence ;  and  we  practise 
upon  ourselves  deception  fronn  year  to  year,  and,  trusting 
that  nmile  est  idem,  are  blind  to  the  changes  time  is  making 
around  us.  But  sober  reflection  dissolves  the  spell,  and, 
touching  as  with  Ithuricl's  spear,  each  separate  object, 
shows  us  that  we  have  been  borne  rapidly  along  the  current 
of  a  stream,  and,  deceived  by  mere  resemblance,have  thought 
ourselves  stationary,  while  we  are,  in  truth,  at  an  immeasu- 
rable distance  from  the  point  of  our  outset,  and  have  left 
far  behind  us  objects  we  fondly  imagined  were  yet  linger- 
ing upon  our  right  hand,  and  on  our  left.  When  the  spell 
is  thus  dissolved,  with  what  affecting  force  does  the  question 
address  itself  to  the  soul — the  friends  of  my  youth, where  are 
they?  Tlie  answ^er  to  this  question  would  ojjen  to  us  a  vol- 
ume of  interest  and  instruction,  in  t'je  perusal  of  which, 
time  were  not  idly  spent;  and  I  can  hardly  forego  the 
reading  from  it,  here  and  there,  a  chapter  in  your  hearing. 
Doubtless,  we  should  find  many  a  story  of  disappointed 
hopes,  and  now  and  then,  of  the  breaking  of  a  heart  too 
gentle  by  nature,  and  not  sufiicicntly  strengthened  by  edu- 
cation, for  the  trials  of  this  rugged  world  ;  and  we  should 
be  told  of  the  grass  and  wild  flowers  springing  upon  early 
graves,  which  the  hand  of  misfortune  or  of  vice  had  hol- 
lowed for  the  dreamless  sleepers'.  Few  and  far  between, 
we  should  find  the  records  of  successful  enterprise,  of  tri- 
umph, of  renown,  of  conquest  achieved,  while  the  unfinished 
story  indicates  the  child  of  fortune  still  going  on  to  con- 
quer; and  we  should  look  back  with  a  hardly  yielded  cre- 
dulity, to  the  time  when,  amid  these  very  scenes,  the  seeds 
were  planted,  now  ripening  into  so  rich  a  harvest ;  and  did 
we  possess  powers  to  trace  more  accurately  things  to  their 
proper  causes,  we  might  follow  the  successive  links  by  which 
the  culture  here  bestowed  is  connected  with  lesults  so  wide- 
ly varying  in  different  subjects.     Such   is  a  hasty  glance 


HON.   ROBERT    STRANGE.  5 

at  the  probable  contents  of  one  volume,  lor  such  is  a  short 
summary  of  human  life. 

But  I  must  turn  from  tlie  mingled  task  of  pleasure  and 
of  pain  its  perusal  would  afford,  to  the  one  you  have  as- 
signed ;  and  allow  me,  ere  I  proceed  farther,  in  most  un- 
feigned sincerity,  to  express  my  regret  that  I  have  been 
called  upon  under  circumstances  which  forbid  my  refusal, 
to  walk  where  none  but  men  of  renown  have  trodden  before 
me,  and  to  deprecate  the  imputation  of  arrogance  in  my 
feeble  attempt  to  follow  them;  having  been  actuated  by  no 
motive  but  an  unwillingness  churlishly  to  reject  the  only 
honor  I  hope  for  in  the  transaction — that  of  being  thought 
worthy  by  you  to  perform  tlie  duty. 

Your  Literary  Societies  are  useful  adjuncts  to  the  other 
means  of  intellectual  improvement  here  afiorded,  and  the 
plan  of  calling  annually  upon  some  one  of  your  Honorary 
Members  to  deliver  an  address  before  you,  w  ill,  it  is  hoped, 
be  beneficial  to  yourselves,  and  ought  to  be  highly  flatter- 
ing to  the  individual  selected.  In  responding  to  this  call, 
it  may  be  reasonably  expected, that  he  who  addresses  you, 
will  endeavor  to  mingle  instruction  with  entertainment, 
and  in  that  view,  it  is  my  object  on  the  present  occasion, 
(more  obvious  topics  having  been  exhausted  by  my  prede- 
cessors,) to  beguile  the  passing  hour  with  some  reflections 
on  the  Imagination,  as  the  subject  was  naturally  suggested 
to  me  by  a  retrospect  of  the  lapse  of  time  since  my  first 
visit  to  these  scenes.  I  am  conscious  of  having  entered 
upon  a  most  extensive  field,  but  it  is  an  imaginary  field, 
the  whole  of  which  I  have  no  purpose  1,o  occupy,  but  rather 
to  roam  through  it  in  freedom,  like  the  butterfly  ,  if  I  please, 
idly  skimming  the  surface  of  its  beauties,  or  if  the  humour 
takes  me,  like  the  more  industrious  bee,  gathering  useful 
honey  from  its  flowers. 

Of  the  faculty  called  the  Imagination,  every  man  sup- 
poses he  has  an  intimate  knowledge,  and  would  almost  feel 
himself  insulted,  were  one  seriously  to  set  about  explain- 


6  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    BY 

ing  what  it  is.  His  iridignatioii  would  not  be  altogether 
groundless,  were  the  effort  to  impart  to  him  new  percep- 
tions of  tliis  wonderful  faculty  ;  but  he  would  liave  little 
cause  to  complain  of  a  want  of  either  pleasure  or  improve- 
ment, in  submitting  to  have  his  attention  fixed  with  a  little 
care  upon  what  is  passing,  in  relation  to  it  within  his  own 
mind.  Nay,  if  he  would  take  leisure  to  himself,  and  with- 
out any  assistance  from  another,  reflect  a  little  upon  it,  he 
would  doubtless  come  to  perceive  tiiat  he  has  been  satisfied 
with  a  very  sliglit  conception  of  what  he  daily  speaks  of 
with  great  familiarity,  and  has  either  reduced  Imagination 
to  a  province  far  too  narrow  for  her  dimensions,  or  de- 
graded her  to  a  confused  identity  with  her  own  ministers. 
AVe  are  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made,  is  a  truth  no  less 
applicable  to  our  intellectual  than  our  physical  organiza- 
tion ;  and  no  rational  being  can  retire  from  the  contem- 
plation of  cither  the  one  or  the  other,  unconcerned  and  un- 
instructcd.  Our  general  notions  are  usually  near  the  truth 
of  that  wonderful  organ,  the  eye,  by  which  the  physical 
world,  with  all  its  beauties  of  form  and  colour,  finds  access 
to  our  souls ;  but  it  is  only  when  we  sit  down  calmly  and 
reflect  upon  its  singular  adaptation  to  the  end  for  which  it 
was  made,  the  wide  range  of  its  action,  the  folornness  of 
our  condition,  and  the  darkness  of  our  souls,  if  deprived  of 
its  use,  that  we  arc  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of  the  al- 
most miraculous  gift,  and  are  sufficiently  grateful  to  the 
being  who  hath  formed  it.  And  he  who  has  never  yielded 
an  hour  to  the  consideration  of  the  mental  faculty  of  which 
we  ai-c  speaking,  is  altogether  unconscious  of  a  treasure 
in  his  own  bosom,  to  which  Aladdin's  Lamp  were  a  tame 
comparison,  and  inexcusably  insensible  of  his  obligation  to 
that  Providence  who  placed  it  there. 

Lexicographers  define  Imagination  to  be  "  the  power 
of  forming  ideal  pictures,  or  of  representing  things  absent 
to  one's  self  or  others."  All  who  have  given  the  slightest 
attention  to  mctapliysics  must  have  perceived  the  difficulty 


HON.    ROBERT    STRANGE.  , 

of  classifying  the  various  powers  of  the  mind,  aiul  assign- 
ing to  each  its  peculiar  office,  and  one  cannot  avoid  being 
struck  in   the  foregoing  definition,    that  Imagination    is 
made  to  assume  among  its  offices,  that  of  ^Memory.     For 
in  the  general  power  of  representing  to  one's  self  or  others 
absent  things,  is  clearly  included  tliat  of  calling  up  the  im- 
ages of  things  now  past,  left  in  their  transit,  or  that  fac- 
ulty of  the  mind  which  we  are  wont  to  call  Memory.     In- 
deed there  is  strong  reason  to  believe,   that  the  most  pol- 
ished nations  among  the  ancients,  either  supposed  thcn^ 
identical  or  had  no  very  clear  conception  of  any  difference 
between  them.     Among  those  beautiful  personifications  in 
the  mythology  of  Greece  and  Rome,  Mnemosyne,   which 
literally  signifies  memorij,  was  personified  as  a  female  de- 
riving her  descent  from  Eartli  as  her  Motlier,  and  Heaven 
as  her  Father,  represented  as  Terra  and  Celus,  and  was 
lierself  the  progenitrix  of  the  nine  Muses,  in  their  turn 
personifying  all  the  liberal  arts.     This  extensive  mater- 
nity of  Mnemosyne  is  not  greater,  than  in  the  progress  of 
our  remarks,  we  shall  claim  for  Imagination,  and  places  it 
as  I  conceive,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  in  the  estimation  of 
those  who  held  the  truth  of  this  Mythology,  the  former  was 
what  the  latter  is  with  us.     This  is  in  fact  distinctly  re- 
cognized by  a  learned  German  in  his  "essay  on  the  re- 
duction of  the  faculties  of  the  mind,"  and  by  other  Meta- 
jdiysicians  comparatively  modern.     Wliat   we  generally 
mean  in  modern  Metaphysics  by  the  term  Memory,   was 
doubtless  included  under  a  genera!  term,  represented  by 
one    word,    Imagination,    without    any    consciousness   of 
necessity  for  subdivision,  or  of  any  recognized  difference. 
This  if  indeed  it  be  one,  was  a  very  natural  oversight,  for 
without  Memory,  (in  the  signification  of  that  word  as  un- 
derstood by  us)  Imagination  could  do  little  or  nothing,  so 
very  limited  is  the  number  of  objects   which  can  be  i)re- 

sented  to  the  mind  through  the  senses  at  any  one  time 

Memory  must  therefore  furnish  all  or  nearly  all  the  ma- 


8  ADDRESS    DFT.IVERED    BY 

terials  for  the  operations  of  Imagination,  for  with  all  the 
extraordinary  powers  it  is  our  design  to  ascrihe  to  the  Im- 
agination, she  does  not  possess  that  of  creation,  in  the  pro- 
per sense  of  that  word,  even  in  her  own  ideal  world.  Doubt- 
less ere  tlie  Almighty  had  formed  the  Universe,  the  stupen- 
dous plan  was  originated  and  sketched  out  in  his  limitless 
mind,  although  not  one  atom  of  which  it  should  be  formed, 
had  any  actual  existence.  But  the  finite  mind  of  man  in 
calling  up  images  of  absent  things,  is  confined  to  such  as 
have  been  actually  presented  to  her,  or  the  compounds  or 
analysis  of  things  so  presented.  The  most  brilliant  Im- 
agination with  which  any  finite  being  has  ever  been  en- 
dowed, can  do  nothing  more  than  make  use  of  the  mate- 
rials with  which  memory,  or  the  senses,  may  present  her. 
Dependent  then  as  Imagination  is  upon  Memory  for  her 
operations,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,that  in  the  infancy 
of  Metaphysical  science,  no  difference  should  have  been 
recognized  between  them.  But  we  live  in  an  age,  when 
every  day  witnesses  for  man  some  new  intellectual  triumph, 
and  the  restless  mind  which  has  so  boldly  invaded  every 
other  province,  has  not  been  inattentive  to  its  own  nature, 
or  unobservant  of  the  classification  of  its  own  faculties. 
Tiiat  class  of  mental  capacities  which  displays  itself  in 
collecting  information,  is  styled  sense  or  Perception  ;  that 
class  which  displays  itself  in  retaining  or  working  up  as 
it  were,  the  materials  so  collected,  is  styled  the  reflective 
or  retentive  powers,  or  Imagination.  Sense,  it  is  said,  is  a 
kind  of  transient  Imagination,  and  Imagination,  a  kind 
of  permanent  sense.  Imagination  is  again  classified 
into  Imagination  proper,  Memory  and  Recollection. — 
Imagination  is  tliat  power  which  brings  into  active  use, 
by  contemplating,  combining  or  analyzing,  things  pre- 
sent to  tlie  senses,  or  those  materials  which  Memory  pre- 
sents, on  what  has  been  so  often  and  so  aptly  called  its 
tablet.  Memory  is  herself  this  mental  record,  and  Re- 
collection is  that  operation  of  the  mind,  by   which  at  its 


own  volition  and  cfFoi-t,  it  turns  to  somo  pai-ticulai*  portion 
of  tliat  vast  lietcrogcneous  i-ccoi'd  wliicli  Memory  lias  made 
and  preserved.  Thus,  when  in  tliat  inimitable  Poein  which 
Iiohls  the  first  place  aniong  those  classic  treasures  you  arc 
destined  to  bear  wit!»  you  I'rom  the  bosom  ol'  your  Alma 
Matei',ti>c  ancient  Scian  repi-esents  the  Gods  as  descending' 
from  Mount  Olympus,  and  mingling  in  strife  with  mortals 
on  the  plains  of  ilium,  Imagination  was  the  faculty  which 
sketched  the  pictui-e  on  the  mental  trestle,  by  gi-ou[)ingthc 
constituent  ideas  fui-nished  from  the  Memory  of  the  sight- 
less bard — and  recollection  was  the  effort  by  wiiich  each 
appropriate  circumstance  was  called  up  from  the  promis- 
cuous stores  of  Memory.  Every  man  j)ossesses  these  fa- 
culties in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  and  in  their  absence, 
would  probably  belittle  superior  to  the  brutes  that  perish  ; 
for  without  these  properties,  Reason,  tliat  peculiar  badge 
of  human  dignit}',  would  enjoy  but  few  opportunities  of 
signalizing  his  presence.  The  Imagination  then,  you  will 
perceive,  is  the  jirimnin  mobile  of  intellectual  activity — the 
main-spring  of  this  wonderful  machine,  the  human  mind. 
But  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  hold  you  down  to  a  dry  meta- 
physical disquisition,  invading  the  ju'ovince  of  Locke,  of 
Bacon,  of  Berkcly,  of  Reid,  of  Stewart,  of  Brown,  and  of 
Abercrombie;  yet  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  say  thus  much, 
and  it  would  be  foreign  to  my  object  to  say  more,  in  ascer- 
tainment of  what  Imagination  is.  The  attempt  to  define 
ler  more  accurately  would  perhaps  be  neither  very  useful, 
nor  altogether  successful.  We  shall  best  and  most  agree- 
:ibly  leaiTi  something  of  her  nature,  by  contemplating  some 
jortions  of  her  works ;  and  so  varied  and  beautiful  are  they 
n  themselves,  that  the  most  unskilful  guide  cannot  fail  of 
\ff()rding  entertainment  in  conducting  us  among  them. 

The  Heathen  Goddess  Mnemosyne,  as  we  have  already 
lad  occasion  to  remark,  was  the  parent  of  nine  lovely 
laughters,  called  the  Muses,  jjci'sonifying  all  the  liberal 
Arts  and  Sciences  known  among  the  most  enlightened  of 


10  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    IJY 

the  Pagan  nations.  But  when  Imagination  suggested  to 
the  AYorshippers  of  herself  personified  as  Mnemosyne,  this 
typical  indication  of  her  prolific  quality,  she  modestly  with- 
held more  than  half  her  progeny,  and  defrauded  herself  of 
many  of  the  fairest  regions  of  her  magnificent  empire. — 
"When  the  sands  have  been  counted  on  the  sea-shore,  and 
the  stars  have  been  numbered  in  the  Heavens,  then  may  the 
offspring  of  Imagination  be  told  ;  then  may  be  marked  out 
the  limits  of  her  empire.  A  beautiful  writer  has  remarked 
that  "  the  influence  of  the  Imagination  on  the  conduct  of 
life,  is  one  of  the  most  important  points  of  moral  philoso- 
phy. It  were  easy  by  induction  of  facts,  to  prove  that 
the  Imagination  directs  almost  all  the  passions  and  mixes 
with  almost  every  circumstance  of  action  or  pleasure." — 
And  it  may  be  added  that  both  Hope  and  Memory  are  her 
handmaids,  as  without  her,  the  past  would  be  an  obliterated 
record,  and  the  future  a  dark,  illegible  scroll,  while  the 
present  would  be  a  dull,  uninteresting  mass,  a  plain  without 
a  pillar,  a  dead  sea>  without  one  wave  to  break  its  monotony. 
All  the  other  intellectual  powers  would  droop  into  inac- 
tivity, and  become  useless  to  their  possessor.  The  lungs 
inhaling  vitality  from  the  air  "  which  clips  us  round  about," 
is  not  more  essential  to  the  performance  of  animal  functions, 
than  is  the  Imagination  to  the  exercise  of  the  intellectual. 
In  partial  illustration  of  this  position,  let  us  borrow  for  a 
moment  her  fairy  wings,  and  fly  with  Alexander  Selkirk 
to  the  Island  of  Juan  Fernandez.  Let  us  take  her  wand 
also,  and  each  one  transform  himself  to  that  Robinson  Cru- 
soe, whoiie  story,  in  many  a  youthful  hour,  lias  lent  to  time 
a  swifter  wing,  and  robbed  even  sleep  of  his  wonted  al- 
lowance. We  emerge  dripping  from  tiie  briny  Ocean,  and 
cast  a  disconsolate  look  upon  the  Island  before  us,  unblessed 
with  a  single  indication  of  human  residence.  We  turn 
again,  witk  despairing  countenances,  to  the  Ocean  behind, 
and  its  waves  are  still  leaping  successively  onwards  to  the 
laud,  as  if  in  pursuit,  ever  dialing  their  angry  crests,  and 


HON.   ROBERT    STRANGE.  \l 

hoarsely  inurmuring  tlicir  triumph  and  dciiance.  Tossing 
amid  their  foam,  in  haffled  efforts  for  self-preservation,  and 
occasionally  sending  forth  a  cry  of  agony,  we,  here  and 
there,  descry  a  companion,  who  but  yesterday  was  weaving 
in  joy  the  web  of  fancy,  and  sketcliing  out  vast  plans  of 
happiness  when  his  present  voyage  should  have  been  suc- 
cessfully accomplished.  Behold!  he  sinks,  to  make  his 
everlasting  resting-place  among  the  beds  of  coral.  The 
intensity  of  our  interest  in  our  own  uncertain  and  cheerless 

I  prospects,  scarcely  leave  room  in  tlie  bosom  for  one  throb 
of  compassion  towards  our  struggling  shipmates,  or  time 
for  the  tear-drop  of  regret  to  gather  for  those  that  have  per- 
ished. Self-interest  directs  our  notice  to  the  gallant  bark 
which  had  been  our  home  for  many  weeks  upon  the  track- 
less waters,  as  it  seems  to  struggle,  like  a  tiling  of  life,  to 

I  escape  from  the  sand  bar  on  which  fate  has  precipitated 
and  fixed  it  for  destruction.  Feelings  of  tenderness  gather 
towards  it,  as  though  it  were  really  a  sentient  being,  and 

I  prayers  would  ascend  to  heaven  for  its  deliverance,  did 
not  hope  refuse  to  lend  them  wings  in  the  overwhelming 
conviction  of  her  irremediable  destiny.    Despair  at  length 

]  prostrates  us  to  earth,  and  nature  finds  relief  for  the  fa- 
tigued body  and  the  harrasscd  mind,  in  the  unconsciousness 
of  sleep.  But  sleep  is  limited  in  its  duration,  and  in  pro- 
cess of  time,  consciousness  returns,  and  witii    it  an   impe- 

irious  demand  for  bodily  sustenance.  In  every  animal, 
there  is  an  instinctive  impulse  to  satisfy  this  craving,  when 

1  nature  presents  the  means  ;  but  where  she  withholds  them, 

I  or  leaves  them  to  be  attained  by  otiier  than  the  simplest 
exertion,  nothing  remains,  but  to  perish  by  the  most  lin- 
gering and  distressing  of  deaths,  to  those  beings  who  are 
furnished  with  instinct  only.  Upon  the  desolate  shore  we 
have  described,  no  ready  means  of  supplying  the  cravings 
of  appetite  would  probably  be  found  ;  and  what  then  must 
be  our  fate,  in  our  present  destitution?  Memory,  by  that 
wonderful  principle  of  association  which  contributes  so 


12  ADDRESS  DELIVERED   BY 

much  to  licr  iisenilncss,  naturally  presents  her  record  of 
the  wholesome  and  delicious  viands  which  prudent  foresight 
had  treasured  up  in  that  vessel  we  last  saw,  ere  slumher 
overcame  us,  struggling  with  the  winds  and  waves  upon 
the  tenacious  sand-har.  Yet  what  avails  tl)is  act  of  offi- 
cious Memory,  hut  to  give  a  keener  edge  to  appetite,  and 
increase  ten  fold  tlie  agony  of  our  despair?  Cruel  indeed 
would  he  this  office  of  Memory,  were  it  not  that  Imagina- 
tion is  already  awake,  and  pluming  her  wings  for  a  flight 
of  discovery  over  the  lonely  Island,  tlie  restless  waters, 
and  even  towards  the  overhanging  lioavens,  for  something 
which  may  avail  in  llic  hour  of  extremity.  The  sugges- 
tion of  Memor}''  directs  her  towards  the  vessel  now  i-esting 
quietly  upon  lier  sanded  hed.  the  stoi-m  heing  overpast,  and 
the  winds  liaving  ceased  to  toss  her.  and  tlie  angry  waves 
to  heat  against  Iter  sides.  Thither  Imagination  wings  her 
way,  and  hears  hack  a  copy  of  tlie  whole  interior  of  the  de- 
sei'ted  ca!)in,in  a  mnmcntof  time,  more  faitliful  than  the  most 
accomplished  ])aintcr  could  have  executed  in  v/ecks  of  laho- 
rious  application.  On  the  tahle  slic  exhibits  the  ready  drest 
joint,  sending  up  its  savoury  steams,  and  pouring  out  its 
luscious  juices — she  i»uts  a  knife  into  the  hand  of  the  hun- 
gry man,  and  bids  him  carve  to  his  liking,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  she  kindly  presents  the  wliolesomc  hread,  and 
pours  from  tlie  flagon  the  refreshing  hcvcrage,  to  give  to 
his  repast  a  more  |vcrfcct  zest.  Having  thus  stimulated 
him  to  the  most  complete  willingness  for  exertion,  slie  does 
not  desert  him,  hut  kindly  points  to  the  spars  and  ])lank 
scattered  upon  the  heacii — melancholy  vestiges  of  the  i"e- 
cent  shipwreck.  Slie  suggests  that  hy  stripping  portions 
of  bark  from  the  surrounding  trees,  those  planks  and  spars 
may  be  so  fastened  togetlier,  as  to  foi-m  a  raft,  on  wliich  he 
may  pass  over  to  the  vessel  and  secure  a  portion  of  her 
contents,  not  only  as  a  relief  from  ])resent  starvation,  hut 
to  furnish  him  witli  comparative  comfort  dui'ing  his  uncer- 
tain  stay  upon   the  lonesome   Island.     Another  faculty, 


HON.    KOBERT    STRANGE.  13 

ivliicli,  but  for  Imasriiiation,   vvoiiltl   Iiavc  been   altogether 
useless  in  this  season  of  distress,  now  begins  to  stii'  him- 
self and  to  give  heed  to  her  suggestions,  and  upon  his  fia^ 
it  will  depend,  wliether  the  ocean  shall  be  robbed  of  any 
portion  of  her  booty,  01"  Imagination  must  go  fortii  again 
in  search  of  some  otiier  means  of  deliverance.     This  fac- 
ilty,  you  will  perceive  at  once,  is  Reason,  judgment,  or 
I  indcrstanding.     With  alacrity,  yet  with  deference,  Imag- 
lination,  as  if  desirous  that  this  stern  faculty  shall  decide 
k^orrectly,  presents  for  his  consideration  a  vai'icty  of  sup- 
:)osed  cases  on  each  side  of  tl»e  question.     She  again  aj)- 
[)lies  to  Memory,  and   obtains  from  her  the  records  expe- 
rience has  made  upon  her  tablet  in  similar  cases,  and  pre- 
sents them  to  Reason,  that  he  may  the  better  determine  of 
the  future  by  things  that  are  past.     After  deliberately  con- 
sidering all  the  suggestions  of  Imagination,  reason  decides 
the  hazards  to  be  incurred  by  tiie  cntcrprizc  are  justified 
by  the  probable  result  and  the  urgent  necessity,  and  bread 
is  snatched  for  the  famisiiing  from  the  bosom  of  the  waters. 
Here  then  in  one  oftiiemost  primitive  conditions  of  human 
life,  by  tiic  works  of  Imagination,  we  learn  in  part  what 
she  is  and  something  of  her  inestimable  utility.     I  say  one 
)r)f  the  most  ;)rnniiu'e  conditions,  for  in  truth, as  an  animal, 
ithc  first  want  of  man  upon  earth  is  bread  to  sustain  his 
body  and  make  glad  his  heart,   and  to  jjrovide  it  lor  him- 
self, is  a  necessity  imposed  on  him  by  an  irrcvci-sible  de- 
cree, although  he  may  not  always  have  t!ie  consciousness 
)of  this  law  ujjon  him.     It  is  not  the  lot  of  every  one  to  be 
cast  upon  a  desert  island,  but  in  wliatcver  situation  iie  may 
be  placed,  })rovision  for  his  bodily  wants  is  not  only  essen- 
tial to  his  comfort,  but  to  his  very  earthly  existence.     Im- 
agination must  suggest  tiie  means  of  obtaining  tJiese  sup- 
plies, or  of  improving  such  as  Providence  may  cast  in  his 
way.     We  might  follow  De  Foe  in  the  fancy  sketch  he  has 
given  us  of  tiie  adventures  of  the  ])erson  whose  name  wc  have 
recently  mentioned,  and  shew  how  Imagination  assisted 


14  ADDRESS  DELIVERED   Bt- 

him  out  of  difficulties  the  most  trying,  and  brought  him 
comfort  out  of  prospects  the  most  discouraging,  and  how, 
upon  the  mere  discovery  of  a  single  human  track  upon  the 
sand,  she  changed  the  whole  current  of  liis  thoughts,  peo- 
pled his  own  and  the  surrounding  islands  with  the  children 
of  Adam,  and  suggested  to  him  precautions,  without  which, 
lie  would  in  all  probability  have  become  the  prey  of  can- 
nibals. But  it  was  our  purpose  only  to  use  him  for  a  sin- 
gle illustration,  and  leaving  him,  as  he  has  so  often  done 
heretofore,  to  imp  the  wings  of  infant  Imagination  with 
a  healthful  vigor,  we  proceed  with  our  subject. 

In  a  state  of  nature,  man  finds  his  frame  shivering  amid 
the  snows  of  winter,  while  he  bides,  a  houseless  wanderer, 
the  peltings  of  the  pitiless  storm,  and  sees  those  dearer  to 
liim  than  his  ov/n  flesh  shrinking  from  the  blast  and  utter- 
ing piteous  lamentations  as  the  cold  increases  in  intensity. 
Some  beast  passes  by  him  wearing  the  thick  and  shaggy 
covering  with  which  nature  has  provided  it,  and  Imagina- 
tion whispers  *'  it  was  not  for  itself  alone  that  this  was  gi- 
ven." She  proceeds  to  suggest  the  means  by  which  it  may 
be  torn  from  tlie  natural  possessor,  and  become  at  once  the 
/)rnament  and  defence  of  him, whom  she  docs  not  fail  to  in- 
form him  is  the  lord  of  the  Creation.  In  a  bolder  record, 
Imagination  points  to  the  trees  of  the  forest,  and  demands 
"for  what  were  they  planted  by  an  invisible  hand?"  She, 
who  asks  the  question,  furnishes  an  answer,  which  is  ap- 
proved by  Reason.  She  presents  a  tree  prostrated  and 
lobbed  of  its  branches — another,  and  another,  in  continued 
succession.  In  imaginary  toil,  they  are  rolled  together 
and  piled  one  upon  another,  until  a  rude  cottage  is  formed 
sufficient  for  the  protection  of  its  tenant  from  the  inclement 
seasons,  and  from  the  unceremonious  and  fatal  visits  of  tiie 
nightly  prowler.  Imagination  suggests  the  means  of  con- 
verting tliis  ideal  pictui'e  into  a  comfortable  reality,  and  it 
is  done.  As  the  industry  of  man  supplies  one  of  his  wants, 
from  the  thick  phalanx  behind  another  comes  forward,  and 


HON.    ROBERT    STRANGE.  15 

occupies  the  place  of  prominence.     It  is  no  sooner  there, 
than  busy  Imagination  sets  about  devising  schemes  for  its> 
removal.     She  may  suggest  many,  only  to  be  rejected  by 
Reason,  but  is  certain  to  persevere  until  his  approving  nod 
proclaims  for  her  anotlier  trium])h.     Urged  on  and  assis- 
ted   by  Imagination,  man  first  supplies  all  his  pressing 
necessities  and  then  comfort  after  comfort  thickens  around 
the  happy  being.     Not  content  with  having  snatched  for 
him  the  simplest  food  from  the  hand  of  nature — with  having 
robbed  the  beasts  of  their  skins  to  supply  him  with  doath- 
ing,  and    deprived  the  forests  of  their  glory,  to  furnish 
him  with  habitations — Imagination  conducts  him  through 
la  labyrinth  of  culinary  mysteries,  until  nature's  gifts  are 
so  disguised  as  to  defy  recognition,  and  the  simple  food  of 
earth  is  made  to  rival  the  Ambrosia  of  the  fabled  Heavens. 
The  primitive  cloathing  is  thrown  aside,  and  the  loom  is 
made  to  supply  textures  of  every  variety,  over  which  col- 
onics are  cast  more  numerous  than  those  giving  glory  to 
the  rainbow,  among  which  the  gold  and  the  precious  stones 
mingle  their  lustre.     The  humble  huts  are  forsaken,  and 
the  Genius  of  Architecture  is  called   into  being,  to  v\hom 
Imagination  presents  models  both  for  ornament  and  utility 
jln  her  complicated  work,  borrowed  from  all  earth  and 
acean;  and  even  the  fantastic  images  fonncd  by  tlic  clouds,- 
as  they  float  through  the  atmosphere  or  bask  in  the  even- 
ing sun,  fail  not  to  furnish  hints  for  tlie  outward  finish  of 
some  pompous  castle,  or  the  gorgeous   drapery  adoi-ning, 
;  the  interior.     But  like  other  conquerors,  her  unsated  am- 
iibition  yet  seeks  for  other  regions  wherein  to  erect  her 
standard,  and  one  conquest  but  opens  to   her   tlie  view  of 
othej"  lands,  of  which  she  covets  the  possession^     Records 
ifail  to  inform  us  which  were  first  in  the  order  of  time,  the 
lachievcments  of  Imagination  amid  the  starry  Heavens,  or 
those  upon  the  boundless  waters  ;  but,  in  both  instances 
they  have  been  wonderful  beyond  expression.     We  liavc 
lileaifnt  by  them,  tliatthis  earth  is  not  a  plain  indefinite  in- 


16  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  BY 

extent,  rcstiisg  upon  pillars  as  basekss  as  tiicir  own  exis- 
tence, but  one  of  orbs  innumerable 

"  Wheeling  unshaken  through  the  void  immense," 

borrowing  light  and  warmth  from  the  sun,  that  exhaustlcss 
fountain  of  comfort  and  splendour,  but  how  itself  replen- 
ished, it  is  reserved  for  Imagination  to  discover  in  some 
flight  yet  bolder  than  any  she  has  taken.  Early,  very 
early  in  tlieliistory  of  man,  she  borrowed  for  him  tiie  wings 
of  the  wind, and  sent  him  careering  over  the  great  deep,  in 
search  of  wealth,  and  fame,  and  knowledge.  He  has  tra- 
versed upon  them  the  globe,  and  taken  t!ie  circuit  of  every 
land.  Perliaps  it  was  as  early  that  she  sat  the  eye  of  the 
astronomer  "  in  a  fine  phrenzy  rolling  from  earth  to  hea- 
ven," transported  him  in  contemplation  to  the  milky-way 
and  taught  him  to  walk  among  the  stars  of  the  firmament, 
and  to  know  how  the  sweet  influences  of  Orion  and  the 
Pleiades  were  bound.  If  the  untutored  Imagination  can 
take  such  wild  delight  in  soaring  uncontrolled  amid  the 
wonders  of  yon  Cerulean  canojty,  what  ecstatic  glory 
must  have  filled  the  soul  of  Copernicus  and  Newton,  when, 
with  the  confidence  which  knowledge  only  gives,  they  strode 
with  unerring  footstep  from  planet  to  planet,  and  with  vi- 
sions purged  from  the  films  of  ignorance,  looked  abroad 
from  some  commanding  point  upon  the  Universe  beneath 
them,  moving  obedient  to  laws  they  had  learned  to  com- 
prehend. It  is  doubtful  whether  the  first  use  of  language 
can  be  ranked  among  the  triumphs  of  the  Imagination,  but 
it  is  certain,  that  as  language  exists  among  us,  it  is  more 
largely  her  debtor  than  it  would  be  possible  to  express  in 
tlie  compass  of  any  essay  of  reasonable  length.  To  her  is 
due  the  merit  of  symbolic  language  or  letters  ;  but  what 
ago  or  country  witnessed  her  first  efforts  no  certain  infor- 
mation can  now  be  had.  Whether  the  Pyramid,  or  Obel- 
isk, on  Egypt's  ancient  Delta, still  perjtctuatcs  the  earliesrt 
of  her  successes,  or  mc  must  go  back  in  search  of  them  to 
the  jdains  of  Chaldea,  where  every  thing  is  vocal  with  the 


HON.    ROBERT    STRANGE.  IT 

story  of  past  gcneratioiifi,  or  to  Plicnicia  tlic  birth-i)1ace  of 
Cadmus,  and  bcai'  ^itii  tliat  hero  to  other  lands,  the  won- 
derful discovery,  is  periiaps  of  little  moment;  yet  so  im- 
portant has  the  act  itself  hccn  deemed,  that  tiie  Christian 
and  the  Heathen  have  often  united  in  ascribing  to  it  no  ori- 
gin inferior  to  direct  revelation  from  Heaven.  But,  in 
times  comjjaratively  modern,  Imagination  has  added  in- 
calculable extent  to  this  field  of  conquest.  The  art  of 
printing  has  furnished  an  intellectual  jubilee  in  the  histo- 
ry of  our  race,  and  thrown  down  many  of  the  barriers 
which  impeded  the  onward  march  of  the  insatiable  victor, 
whose  glories  we  are  celebrating.  She  now  occupies  a 
vantage  ground,  from  which  a  boundless  horizon  stretches 
out  on  every  hand.  Conijiarativcly  recent  as  this  discov- 
ery is,  who  shall  point  out  the  instrument  by  whom  it  was 
effected  ?  Who  shall  declare  what  brain  Imagination  made 
her  hall  of  State,  while  engaged  in  its  devclopcment  ?  Ru- 
mour tells  us,  that  after  Jiaving  given  birth  to  <;hc  secret 
in  the  mind  of  some  cujining  and  selfish  mortal,  she  was 
compelled  to  resort  to  the  dishonest  cupidity  of  one  of  his 
own  servants  to  scatter  the  blessing  to  the  world  at  large. 
But  it  is  due  to  Germany,  to  acknowledge  that  this  is  one 
of  the  operations  of  genius  within  lier  borders,  that  it  con- 
stitutes a  })art  of  the  large  amount  for  which  mankind  is 
her  debtor.  The  fiftcentli  and  sixteenth  centuries  arc  sin- 
gularly remarkable  for  tlie  achievements  of  Imagination,  and 
among  the  rest,  is  tliat  signal  one,  the  discovery  of  a  new 
world,to  which  we  owe  our  existence  as  a  nation,  with  the 
numberless  individual  advantages  springing  out  of  it.— 
She  bore  to  the  mind  of  Christopher  Columbus  a  represen- 
tation of  the  beautiful  land  we  inhabit,  with  its  vast  ex- 
tent, its  varieties  of  soil  and  climate,  its  lofty  mountains, 
and  its  noble  streams,  and  Reason  decided  that  the  vast  a- 
niount  of  matter  on  the  side  of  the  globe  then  known  to  man- 
kind, required  an  equipoise,  and  the  mind  of  the  sagacious 
Genoese  was  thus  convinced,  th.at  a  transatlantic  contincHt 


J8  ADDRESS    DELIYERED    BY 

"was  no  "baseless  fabi'ic  of  a  vision,''  having  existence  no 
where  but  in  his  own  seetiiing  brain.  In  latter  times,  sh« 
has  chosen  this  new  fonnd  continent  as  a  favorite  scene 
for  her  most  nsefiil  ojjcrations.  Here,  she  elected  bowers 
for  Lihcrty,  and  hither,  she  invited  her  to  come  and  make 
her  everlasting  iiome.  Here,  government  has  been  made  to 
assume  new  attributes,  to  combine  rational  equality  with  the 
most  perfect  submission  in  each  member  to  the  control  of  the 
commr.nity.  But  public  virtue  must  direct  the  movements 
of  this  new  and  beautiful  machine,  or  destruction  awaits 
it.  May  a  merciful  Heaven  continue  to  us  this  guardian 
angelj  under  w  hich  we  have  so  far  prospered !  Imagination 
sickens  and  refuses  to  contemplate  what  must  follow  her 
departure.  A  ruin  must  ensue,  dreadful  as  that  when  sin 
devastated  the  primeval  joys  of  Paradise.  Siiould  it  occur 
in  our  day,  like  our  first  Parents  we  will  look  back  upon 
our  i)resent  condition,  but  with  a  regret  even  more  embit- 
tered than  theirs  ;  for  although 

They  looking  back*  *  *****  beheW 
The  Paradise  so  late  their  happy  seat, 
Wav'd  over  by  that  flaming  brand ;  the  gate 
With  dreadful  faces  throng'd,  and  fiery  arras; 

Yet 

The  world  was  all  before  them,  where  to  choose 
Their  place  of  rest,  and  Providence  their  guide. 

To  us  no  other  world  of  earthly  hope  were  left,  buf, 
chained  to  the  scene  wdiich  our  folly  had  convei'tcd  to  a 
place  of  misery,  ten  fold  aggravated  by  the  blessedness 
we  had  cast  away,  no  consideration  would  be  left  us,  but, 
from  day  to  day,  to  repeat  the 

"  Quseque  ipse  miserrima  vidi, 
Et  quorum  magna  pars  fui —         *         *         * 
Quanquam  animus  meminisse  horret,  luctuque  refugit." 
But  my  feelings  warn  me  of  the  exliaustlcss  theme  I 
am  now  broaching — too  deeply  interesting  for  tiic  ])rescnt 
occasion — too  engrossing,  perhaps,  to  the  heart  of  every 
American.       Imagination  leaves  it   with  reluctau/je,   re- 


HON.    ROBERT    STRANGE.  19 

mcmberiDg  that  from  this  Continent  it  was,  she  mounted 
the  chariot  of  the  storm,  and  plucked  from  it  the  treasured 
lightning,  and  submitted  it  to  the  examination  of  a  Phi- 
losopher, and  suggested  its  nature  and  some  of  the  great 
purposes  for  which  it  was  created.  Fi'om  hence  she  sported 
over  tiic  deep,  and  looked  upon  the  wind-stirred  vessels, 
as  she  left  them  beliind  in  her  rapid  flight,  and,  in  a  mo- 
ment of  inspiration,  catcliing  from  the  Ocean's  bosom  the 
vapor  as  it  ascended,  confined  it  in  iron  prisons,  and  gave 
)by  its  expansive  force,  an  impulse  swift  as  her  own  wings, 
to  palaces  she  formed,  wherein  man  might  navigate  the  wa- 
ters. Proud  of  her  achievements  on  tlie  Ocean,  slic  turned 
to  the  land,  and  the  hills  bowed  themselves,  and  the  val- 
lies  rose  to  meet  her  approaching  footsteps,  and  a  level 
way  was  formed  over  which  her  subjects  are  allowed  to 
pass  in  cars  apparently  self-moved,  and  rivalling  in  speed 
"  the  sightless  carriers  of  the  air."  These  inventions  have 
been  figuratively  denominated  an  annihilation  of  space. — 
IBut  credulity  is  staggered  by  an  alleged  substraction  from 
the  inconveniences  of  space,  still  more  recent,  being  the 
communication  of  information  thousands  of  miles  in  a  few 
minutes  of  time,  with  perfect  accuracy  and  little  exjiense.  In 
this  hasty  view  of  some  of  the  more  important  operations  of 
[Imagination,  chiefly  in  the  range  of  Pliysics,  all  of  us,  I 
suppose,  arc  satisfied  that  much  injustice  is  done  to  this 
noble  faculty  by  the  looseness  with  which  we  are  wont  to 
speak  of  it— that  she  is,  in  fact,  with  the  assistance  of 
iRcason,  the  inventive  faculty — that  lie  who  experiences 
imostofher  influence,  in  general  possesses  most  of  that 
quality  which  men  call  genius.  It  is  not  intended  to  deny 
to  other  powers  of  tiie  mind  their  i-cspcctive  ollices  and 
utility  in  all  these  important  works,  but  only  to  assert  for 
ilmagination  a  most  active  agency  in  tiieir  accomplishment ; 
that  she  gives  impulse  to  the  rest,  and  presents  the  draw- 
ings from  whence  they  copy,  or  at  least  furnishes  tlic  con- 
''Stitucnts  of  what  is  put  together  by  sterner  faculties.  There 


20  ADDRESS    DELTYERED    BY 

is  a  certain  practical  tact,  by  which  many  men  avail  them- 
selves of  the  genius  and  labor  of  others  who  have  themselves 
very  little  of  the  Divine  afflatus  of  Imagination.     Such 
men  monopolize,  so  far  as  tliis  woi'ld   is  concerned,  most 
of  the  substantial  rewards  of  genius,  by  means  of  cunning 
and  other  inferior  qualities  of  the  mind,  accompanied  by  a 
selfishness  of  disposition,  which  holds  on  with  the  tenacity 
of  death  to  any  adventitious  advantages  they  may  acquire. 
Witli  an  ingratitude,  not  at  all  remarkable  wlicn  we  fully 
understand  the  ground  they  occupy,  these  men  ai-e  ajjt  to 
be  habitual  denf)unccrs  of  men  of  genius,  denying  to  them 
the  attribute  of  common  sense,  and    sjieaking    of  cominon 
sense  and  genius  as  rarely  inhabiting  together,  and  being, 
in  fact,  directly  opposed  to  eacli  other.     By  dint  of  repe- 
tition, these  opinions  have  become  but  too  common  in  the 
Avorld,  and  have  contributed  much  to  tlic  advancement  of 
impudent  dullness  to  places  of  distinction,  and  putting  down 
genius,  and  rendering  more  thorny  its  path,  whicli  diffi- 
dence and  sensibility,  and    the   want   of   arrogance    and  . 
selfishness,  lendei'  enough  so   by  natui-e.     To  give  great- 
er  efit'ct   to    these   errors,  the  empire  of  Imagination  lias 
been  divided,  and  one  half  taken   from  her   and  assigned 
to  Common  Sense,  as  it  is  called,  while  the  other  is  left  to 
herself,  to  roam  over  and  jilay  fantastic  tricks  in,  at  her 
own  pleasure,  to  the  scorn    of  tliesc  idolatni-s  of  common 
sense.     Nothing  can  be  more  unjust  than  ibis  partition,  as 
thereby,  as  I  trust  we  have  seen,   Imagination    is   grossly     , 
dcIVauded  of  her  honest  claims,  and  opportunity  afforded 
to  dullness  to  j)ass  herself  olT  for  common  sense.     "A  man 
of  common  sense,"   says  Ilelvetius,  "  is  a  one   in   whose 
character  indolence  predominates  ;  he  is  not  endowed  with 
that  activity  of  soul,  which,  in  high  stations,   leads  great 
minds  to  discover  new  springs  by  which  they  may  set  the 
Avorid  in  motion,  or  to  sow  those  seeds,  from  the  growth 
of  which  they  ai-e  enabled  to  produce  future  events.*'     But 
says  another  great  writer,  "in  conducting  the  low  and  petty 


HON.    EOBERT    STKANGE.  21 

;  aftairs  of  life,  common  sense  is  certainly  a  more  useful 
quality  than  even  genius  itself;"  and  yet  anotliei'  has  said, 
•*that  best  sort  of  sense  is  common  sense,"  implying,  in  all 
situations.  Now  I  will  venture  to  suppose  that  these  appa- 
rent diffci'ences  arc  the  result  of  some  disagreement  in  the 

1  use  of  terms,  and  tliat  diflTeicnt  ideas  arc  represented  by 
the  term  common  sense,  which  I  take  to  be  in  ti'utii,  that 
happy  combination  of  Reason  and  Imagination,  ^^hicIl  con- 
stitutes the  jjcrfection  of  the  human    intellect,  and  gives  it 

I  power,  like  tlie  trunk  of  the  Elephant,  over  subjects  tiie 
most  important,  and  at  tlic  same  time  over  tlic  n)ost  trivial. 
For  where  there  is  exhibited  too  much  o(  the  fire  of  Imagi- 
nation, as  it  is  (ailed,  in  happy  illustration  both  of  its 
brilliancy  and  its  pronencss  to  mischievous  uses.  Reason 
is  feeble  by  nature,  or  laboring  under  some  temjiorary  sus- 
pension of  his  powers;  and  where  this  fire  is  a  scarcely 
jjcrceptible  spark,  Reason  possesses  neither  ^yarmth  nor 
liglit  suflicient  fur  any  useful  or  interesting  exhibition  of 
liis  powers.  TJie  total  absence  of  this  fire  is  the  charac- 
tei'istic  of  absolute  dullness,  and  as  she  is  cut  off  from  all 
pretension  to  genius,  she  consoles  herself  by  affecting  a  re- 
lationship to  common  sense;  unconscious  that  it  is  only 
the  same  being  under  more  advantageous  circumstances. 
\Vc  have  hitherto  confined  our  attention  to  the  portion  of 
Imagination's  v.orks,  lying  within  that  part  of  her  Empii'c 
uhich  has  been  erroneously  assigned  to  common  sense  ex- 
clusively, embracing  what  ai-e  commonly  called  tlic  Arts 
and  Sciences.  What  have  been  called  the  fine  Ai'ts,  arc, 
as  erroneously,  given  up  to  the  sole  dominion  of  the  Fancy 
or  Imagination.  In  them  there  can  be  no  false  play — no 
.successful  ajjpropriation  of  the  woiks  of  others — no  room 
for  artifice  and  cunning  to  pretend  the  accomplishment  of 
what  has  not  been  done.  In  this  field,  dullness  is  certain 
to  shew^  his  true  character,  to  be  foiled  and  detected,  and 
therefore  he  is  ever  prone  to  underrate  what  he  can  never 
hope  to  attain.  _  But  i!i  spite  of  Ins  eiivy,  from  this  region 


^%      ..  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    BY 

it  if?  that  man,  as  an  intellectual  creature,  must  draw  the 
chief  of  his  enjoyments;  otherwise,  one  dark  night  of  stu- 
pidity must  brood  ovei*  liis  soul,  excluding  alike  the  per- 
ception of  moral  truth,  and  every  order  of  beauty.  But 
Nvith  him,  \v!u>  enjoys  even  a  crepuscular  ray  from  the  re- 
gions of  Imagination,  feelings  of  ])leasure  are  stirred  in 
his  soul  more  exquisite  and  unalloyed,  than  any  thing  else 
can  affoid,  finite  in  its  nature,  whether  in  contemplating 
the  pictures  of  his  own  fancy,  or  her  more  masterly  por- 
traitures from  the  bosom  of  otiiers.  But  to  him,  who  pos- 
sesses in  himself  a  vivid,  yet  properly  regulated  Imagina- 
tion, the  Pliilosoplier's  stone  with  the  Elixir  of  Life  were  an 
idle  gift,  with  any  view  to  the  actual  increase  of  his  tem- 
poral hai)piness.  Any  great  endowment  of  this  nature 
usually  manifests  itself,  by  giving  to  its  airy  creations  "a 
local  habitation,  and  a  name."  By  pouring  them  out  in 
j)octic  effusions,  like  Homer  and  Milton,  by  transferring 
them  to  the  canvass  like  Apelles,  and  Titian,  and  Rubens, 
and  AYest,  or  to  the  cartoon  like  Raphael,  causing  them  to 
leap  forth  from  the  solid  marble  like  Phidias,  and  Pi-axi- 
teles,  and  Michael  Angelo,  a)ul  Canova ;  or  stirring  the 
liearts  of  men  by  strains  of  eloquence,  as  Demosthenes  and 
Cicero,  and  Pitt  and  Pinckney  ;  or  subduing  by  the  pow- 
er of  music,  like  Orpheus,  and  Arion,  and  St.  Cecilia,  and 
Handel,  and  Paganini.  But  these  are  mere  exhibitions  of 
genius;  they  are  not  genius  itself,  and  the  pleasure  derived 
from  success  in  tlicse  displays,  is  of  a  cliaracter  altogether 
different  from  that  which  is  produced  by  the  proci-eation, 
as  it  were,  of  these  children  of  the  mind,  no  way  dependent 
upon  the  labor  or  reward  of  bringing  them  forth.  It  is 
cei'tainly  true  that  genius  is  vastly  improved,  like  most 
other  things,  by  exercise,  and  no  excuse  can  well  be  offer- 
ed for  him  who  buries  this  precious  talent  in  liis  own  bosom, 
making  !io  displays  of  its  ])owei',  nor  rendering  it  useful 
and  agreeable  to  others.  Yet  it  may  cheer  with  its  light 
Ihc  bosom  it  inhabits,  while  it  shines  tiiruuj^h  but  faintly 


HON.    nOT^ETlT    STTlA^^Cr..  23 

to  tliG  world  around,     vind  even   where   tlic   supply  is  too 
s[)ai'ing  to  claim  tl)C  name  of  genius,   Imagination  has  fur- 
nished every  human  bosom  with  a   treasury  of  delight. — 
But  let  us  for  a  moment  survey  this  fairy  land  assigned  to 
Imagination,  and  look  upon  some  of  the  objects  it  contains. 
In  vain  do  we  seek  for  words  to  describe  the  wonders  we 
behold.     Images  crowd  upon  our  souls  in  thick  succession, 
passing  more  rapidly  than  the  shadows  of  Banquo's  pro- 
geny before  the  envious  Macbeth.     While  they  glide  be- 
fore us,  Reason  holds  an  unsteady  scat,  and  is  borne  along 
with  tliem  as  if  placed  above  some  rapid  current,  and  caa 
scarcely  persuade  himself  it  is  not  all  a  substantial  reality. 
The  air  is  redolent  with  all  delicious  odours  ;   there  is  a 
luxurious  softness  in  the  breeze,  which  gently  curls  the 
istream,  as  it  glides  along,  and  agitates  the  tree  tops  and 
variegated  bowers,  where  all  forms  of  beauty  arc  mingled 
in  attitudes  of  grace  ;  while  a  resplendent  rainbow,  span- 
ning the  domain,  pours  down  a  lustrous  shower  upon  all 
beneath  it.     Yet  it  is  not  every  thing  that  is  thus  enchant- 
ing in  Fancy's  empire;    it   is   variegated,  and   there  arc 
pictures  of  gloom  and  of  sorrow,  as  well  as  of  brightness 
land  of  joy  ;  and  these   pictures   are  charged  with  human 
ibeings  in  every  predicament  of  earthly  passion.     But  our 
business  now  is  with  those  who  aj'c  tho  pensioners  of  Ima- 
.gination.      Surely  a  general  view  of  her  realm  is  sufficient 
to  touch  the  feelings  of  every  heart,  which  is  not  as  insen- 
sible as  the  nether  millstone.     But  there  is  something  ia 
the  constitution  of  those  hearts,   disposing   them   to  lend 
their  sympathies  fully  to  individuals,  and   not   to   masses. 
iThejoys  and  sorrows  of  multitudes  are  strange   to  tl\em, 
and  it  is  only  by  the  contemplation  of  individuals,  that  we 
can    "rejoice  with  those  that  do   rejoice,  and  weep  with 
Uiosc  that  weep."     ^yhcn  Sterne  would  paint  with  efifcct 
jlhc  horrors  of  slavery,  lie  takes  a  single  captive,  and  places 
him  before  us,  an  isolated  picture.     In  like  manner,   fully 
to  enter  uito  the  gratification   this  faculty   affords  to  one 


24  ADDRESS  DELIYERED  V,Y 

under  its  influence,  wc  must  take  particular  cases,  and, 
difiicultas  it  may  be,clioose  from  the  multitudes  which  crowd 
upon  our  minds.  Let  our  first  be  like  Sterne's,  a  cnptive. 
The  cheerless  walls  of  a  prisoti  surround  him  ;  he  is  shut 
out  from  the  light  of  heaven,  and  tlie  days  of  his  life  have 
been  numbered,  even  to  his  own  ear.  The  sword  of  jus- 
tice is  suspended  above  him,  as  if  by  a  single  hair;  for  he 
liath  been  tried,  convicted,  and  sentoiced  to  execution — 
Yet  he  does  not  sit  in  terror,  like  Damocles,  although  the 
hour  is  at  haml  when  tlie  sword  must  certainly  fall,  for  this 
is  the  last  night  of  his  earthly  existence.  He  is  more  than 
composed — in  his  countenance,  there  is  an  expression  even 
of  dignified  jdeasure.  Imagination  withholds  for  the  pre- 
sent the  scaffold  and  the  axe  which  await  him  oji  to-mor- 
row, ami  is  presenting  to  his  contemplation  some  cheering 
prospect.  Is  it  the  hope  of  pardon?  or  the  prospect  of 
rescue?  No!  no!  he  is  too  certain  of  the  fulfilment  of  his 
awful  sentence,  and  is  of  an  order  of  intellect  altogether 
too  lofty  to  suffer  himself  to  be  amused  with  such  ground- 
less suggestions.  Imagination  has  been  v*ith  him  during 
the  greater  part  of  his  imprisonment  of  many  years  con- 
tinuance, among  the  busy  throng  who  in  past  ages  peopled 
the  world  ;  and  he  has  recorded  their  deeds  in  that  ]>on- 
derous  volume  you  see  befoi'e  him.  lie  is  just  completing 
his  task,  with  the  termination  of  his  life,  and  is  feeding  his 
fancy  with  the  approbation  of  the  nullions,  who,  through 
succeeding  ages,  will  look  upon  the  monument  he  thinks 
he  is  now  erecting  to  his  name: 

Exegi  monumcntum  ajre  perennius, 
Eegalique  situ  pyramidum  altius. 

Full  of  thoughts  like  these,  he  is  not  only  contented,  but 
his  bosom  is  swelling  with  immortal  happiness. 

Sec  that  happy  pair  hanging  above  the  cradle  of  a  sleep- 
ing infant.  There  is  indescribable  tenderness  in  their  melt- 
ing countenances,  as  they  alternately  glance  from  the  face 
of  the  babe  towards  each  other,  and  both   tlieir   hearts  are 


HON.     nOBETlT    STRANGE.  25 

hrlinful  of  interesting  tliouglits  wliicli  find  no  nKcrancc— 
The  child  is  the  first  ()ftsi)ring  of  their  mutual  love,  and 
fancy  is  filling  tlieir  souls  w  itii  delicious  dreams  of  his  fu- 
ture destiny,  too  hriglit  and  extravagant  for  expression 
even  to  each  other.  Behold  yon  youth  reclining  in  soli- 
tude by  the  murmuring  brook;  there  is  a  sadness  in  his  coun- 
tenance, and  were  we  to  judge  by  its  expression,  wc  should 
say  his  heart  was  sorrowful.  But  the  conclusion  would 
be  erroneous.  He  is  building  aerial  castles,  re^eHi^g  in 
;  anticipated  wealth,  and  blushing  honors  are  crowding  thick 
upon  him — a  being  beautiful  as  Heaven  is  mingling  in  his 
dreams,  and  in  a  voice  sweeter  than  music's  softest  note,  is 
uttering  to  him  words  of  kindness.  He  is  one  of  Fancy's 
happiest  slaves.  Poor  boy  !  let  him  dream  on  tliis  sweet- 
est dream  of  life.  Blessed  arc  they  on  whom  it  still  is 
waiting  !  Here  is  a  fanr.er  following  his  plough,  whistling 
as  he  moves  along.  The  day  is  hot.  He  has  been  long 
at  his  toil,  and  the  sun  is  pouring  down  upon  him  its  cul- 
imiiiating  beams  ;  the  perspiration  trickles  from  his  brow, 
and,  but  for  the  notes  of  cheerfulness  he  is  uttering,  we 
might  well  suppose  him  spent  with  fatigue.  Yet  he  is  al- 
together unconscious  of  the  toil  he  is  undergoing.  Imagi- 
nation has  lured  him  forward  to  the  time,  when  seed  time 
usiiall  have  passed  away,  followed  by  harvest,  and  he  is 
counting  the  gains  his  crop  has  brought  him  ;  he  hath  al- 
ready dealt  out  from  its  product  to  his  fond  wife  and  their 
smiling  jjrogeny  appropriate  presents,  and  is  luxuriating 
in  sympathy  with  the  pleasure  afforded  them.  But  yonder 
is  a  solitary  sail  upon  the  sleepless  ocean  ;  it  is  far  in  the 
night,  and  the  moon  is  shedding  down  upon  her  its  gentle 
beams.  One  might  almost  fancy  her  a  moving  cofiin  ;  for 
not  a  human  voice  is  heard  to  break  the  stillness.  Stay — 
there  is  one  lonely  being  on  the  deck;  it  is  the  heimsmau 
at  his  wheel.  There  is  another  quiet  figure  reclining  up- 
lun  the  quarter  ;  his  head  is  resting  on  his  hand,  and  his 
{)cnsivc  attitude  bespeaks  him  the  victim  of  disti'cssing 
4 


26  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    RY 

thoughts.  It  is  a  delusion  ;  ho  is  a  mcrcliant,  whom  the  liope 
♦)f  gain  has  lured  from  liis  home  ;  his  bark  is  cleaving  her 
way  to  a  foreign  land,  and  he  is  far  from  the  objects  of  his 
love.  But  he  knows  not  now  that  he  is  lying  alone  upon 
that  deck,  that  his  hair  is  damp  with  the  dew,  and  liis  pEilc 
brow  reflecting  the  moon-beam — he  hears  not  the  night's 
wind  piping  among  the  shrouds.  In  fancy,  his  voyage  has 
been  accomplished,  and  he  is  once  more  by  his  own  fire 
side,  among  happy  iicarts  and  joyful  countenances,  indul- 
ging in  the  traveller's  privileged  luxui-y  "  telling  of  antres 
vast  and  deserts  idle.''  There  lies  a  human  creature  gash- 
ed with  wounds.  His  garments  are  covered  with  clotted 
gore.  His  glazed  eyes  are  turned,  as  if  still  striving  to 
pierce  the  mist  that  has  settled  upon  them.  His  hand 
grasps  a  sword  "  upon  whose  blade  and  dudgeon  are  gouts 
of  blood."  Before  him  and  around  him,  still  as  himself,the 
slain  arc  scattered  like  slieafs  of  grain  from  the  hand  of 
the  reaper.  Surely  this  man  must  have  died  in  agony, 
and  nothing  was  found  upon  this  bloody  plain,  to  soothe 
him  in  his  cxpii'ing  moments.  Again,  ain;  we  deceived. — 
He  was  the  Hero  of  this  field,  and  heard,  as  he  fell,  the 
shout — they  fly  !  they  fly  !  Who  fly  ?  was  the  question, 
into  wliich  was  thrown  all  the  remaining  energy  of  his 
waning  voice.  ''The  enemies  of  your  conntry"  was  the 
grateful  answer.  Fancy  placed  upon  his  brow  the  victo- 
rious wreatli,  she  waved  |)roudly  before  him  the  flag  of  his 
country,  and  the  last  throb  of  his  heart  was  a  throb  of  tri- 
umph. See  that  blind  old  man  sitting  in  solitude — he  has 
none  to  share  with  him  the  sympathies  of  life,  he  tastes  not 
the  dainties  of  the  table,  and  that  sense,  which  bi-ings  to 
other  men  so  mucli  comfort  and  pleasure,  he  never  ])osses- 
scd,  or  has  long  since  lost.  Surely,  for  him,  life  has  no 
chai'nis,  and  he  sighs  continually  for  the  itjjosc  of  the 
tomb.  Far  from  it.  He  inhabits  worlds  of  his  own  cre- 
ation, and  can  vary  for  them  at  pleasure,  attractions  far 
more  captivating  tlian  any  known  to  the  world  of  ordina- 


UOK.   ROBEBT    STRANGE.  27" 

i-y  moi'tals.  lie  ])co})1oh  them  \vitl>  tlic  renowned  an«l 
worthy  of  all  gcnei'atiuMS.  It  is  his  to  pour  the  tide  of  im- 
mortal verse,  and  lie  lives  to  be  remembered  when  the 
wave  of  oblivion  shall  have  gathered  over  race  after  race 
of  the  people  of  the  earth.  Such  were  the  destinies  of 
Homer  and  of  Milton  : 

"Thee  I  revisit  sate  ■  • 

And  feel  thy  sov'ran  vital  lamp  ;  but  thou, 
Ee visit's  not  these  eyes;  they  roll  in  vain 
To  meet  Ihy  piercing  ray  and  find  no  dawn, 
So  thick  a  deep  serene  halh  quench'd  their  orbs, 
Or  dim  suflusion  veil'd.     Yet  not  the  more 
Cease  I  to  wander  where  the  Muses  haunt, 
Smit  with  the  love  of  sacred  song.''  ■    '\'  ~ 

We  might  thus  multij)ly,  wltliout  limit,  the  i)ictures  of 
l)ersons  deriving  from  tlieir  own  Imagination  not  only  con- 
solation hut  oijoymcnt,  and  some  of  them  under  the  most 
untoward  circumstances.  But  our  time  is  exhausting. — 
The  Imaginations  of  men  have  however  not  only  been  use- 
ful to  others  in  coi)diicing  to  their  physical  comfort,  as  we 
have  already  seen,  but  have  also  imparted  to  them  the  most 
exquisite  intellectual  enjoyments.  The  verse  of  Homer  has 
Idelighted  nearly  all  mankind,  for  almost  3000  years,  and 
in  every  age,  genius  has  vainly  striven  with  a  power, 
equal  to  his,  to  sound  the  trumpet  of  Calliope.  The  bard 
jf  Mantua  has  charmed  with  the  sweetness  and  richness  of 
lis  song  for  nearly  two-thirds  of  that  period;  and  Tasso 
md  Dajite  have  in  more  modern  times,  shewn  the  love  of 
:;he  Muses  for  their  Italian  haunts.  But  in  other  portions 
!)f  favored  Europe,  the  sacred  Nine  have  deigned  to  ap- 
)ear,  Germany  has  her  Heid  er,  her  AVieland,  her  Schiller 
und  her  Goethe,  while  Britain  has  made  us  her  debtor,  for 
Ohaucer,  for  Spenser,  for  Shakespear,  for  Milton,  for 
Dryden,  for  Pope,  for  Thompson,  for  Akenside,  for  Covv- 
ler,  for  Burns,  for  Scott,  for  Byron,  for  Moore,  for  a  fair 
llemuns,  and  a  host  of  otiiers,  whom  time  would  fail  us  to 


28  ADDRESS   DELITERED   BY 

enumerate.  Our  own  America  can  as  yet  boast  of  but  lit- 
tle in  the  duke  of  Imagination,  liaving  cliiefly  devoted  her- 
self, as  her  necessities  required,  to  the  utile  ;  she  may  yet 
speak  of  the  modest  ])retcnsions  of  her  Barlow,  of  licr  Per- 
cival,  her  Ilalleck,  her  Willis  and  her  Sigourney.  All 
tlicsc  have  controlled  Imagination  by  the  regulation  of 
numbers,  but  others,  and  some  even  among  those  I  have  al- 
ready menli()ned,liavc  given  to  her  a  freer  flight, and  beeji  re- 
paid in  equal  I'eturns  from  her  rich  domain.  France  has 
given  us  a  Coriicille,  a  Le  Sage,  a  Ilosscan  and  aFenclon; 
Spain  her  renowned  Miguel  Cervantes  ;  Germany,  her 
Gesner.  her  Zimmerman  ajid  her  Klopstock;  and  Britain 
Jicr  Addison,  her  Steele,  her  Johnson,  her  Fielding,  hei* 
Smollett,  her  Ilichardson,  iicr  Iiuiwer,  her  Marryatt,  and 
here  again  must  be  mentioned  the  name  of  Scott,  before 
whom,  all  others  must  veil  tiieir  heads,  to  whatsoever  age 
or  clime  they  may  l)cIo:ig.  He  shares  with  Shakespear  the 
wizai-d  v.and,  in  the  cliarmcd  regions  of  moral  fiction. 
In  this  dcpai'tment,  the  Muse  has  less  reason  to  be  difli- 
dent  of  her  jjcrformances  in  our  own  land,  and  may  ]>oint 
wit!i  [)ride  to  Brown,  to  Irvine,  to  Paulding,  to  Kennedy, 
to  Sinims,  to  Cooper,  and  to  others. 

But,  as  a  moral  being,  the.  dominion  of  Imagination 
overman,  assumes  more  im})'>rtance.  If  slie  dues  not  form, 
she  at  least  keeps  bright  and  preserves  from  rupture  the 
golden  links  by  which  society  is  held  together.  What 
beauty  docs  she  not  im})art  to  the  relationsliips  of  life? — 
Ever  stirring  with  her  wand  the  fountains  of  the  aftectionsj 
she  keeps  their  streams  oj)en,  and  causes  them  to  flow  in 
continual  freshness.  Truly  may  it  be  said,  our  happiness 
or  misery  in  this  life  depend  more  upon  the  state  of  our  own 
hearts,  than  upon  any  extraneous  circumstance  whatso-  - 
ever.  But  it  is  seldom,  as  this  life  is  cojicerned,  that  the 
reward  of  virtue  and  the  punishment  of  vice  are  in  such 
immediate  attendance,  as  to  make  their  connection  palj)a- 
ble  to  the  careless   observer.      Unless   then,   Imagination 


HON.    UOUERT    STRANGE.  29 

were  to  anticipate  tlic  flowers  whicli  bloom  along  tlie  path  of 
virtue,  and  point  to  us  the  thorns  thickly  strewed  upon  the 
broad  road  of  vice,  we  should  wander  like  the  blind,  un- 
conscious whither  we  were  going,  and  consequently,  re- 
gardless of  the  way  we  were  treading.  Lot  us  consider  a 
youth  coming  into  life,  beset  with  all  the  temptations  in- 
cident to  that  interesting  but  dargcrous  period  of  exis- 
tence. Eros  urges,  and  Erato  lures  him  with  her  bewitch- 
ing fascinatiojis,  and  were  he  to  regard  alone  the  impul- 
ses of  nature,  he  would  certainly  })lunge  headlong  into  de- 
structive vices.  But  faithful  Imagination  points  to  the 
frowning  or  averted  countenances  of  parents  and  fi-iends  ; 
to  tlie  spectacle  of  some  hapless  victim,  dragging  out  a 
wretched  existence  covered  with  unseemly  scars — diseased 
and  mutilated — loathsome  to  himself  and  scorned  of  others 
— to  the  crushed  and  bleeding  heart  of  ruined  innocence — 
to  her  pallid  countenance — her  tearful  eye,  and  her  dishev- 
elled locks  ;  and  bids  him  listen  to  accents  of  despair, 
which  startle  conscience  from  her  guilty  slumbers.  The 
wine  giveth  its  colour  in  the  cup,  and  dissolute  companions 
urge  him  to  slake  a  preternatural  thirst,  created  by  former 
indulgences.  But  Imagination  shews  him  the  wreathed 
serpent  in  the  bowl;  she  points  soi'rowfully  and  scornfully 
to  Reason,  the  boast  of  his  nature,  cast  from  his  throne  and 
wallowing  like  the  brute  amid  filth  and  vomit.  She  re- 
minds him  of  a  ruined  estate,  and  a  constitution  destroyed, 
reputation  lost,  and  in  the  prospective  a  hear^  broken  wife, 
and  a  beggared  offspring.  She  points  to  a  black  catalogue 
of  crime  headed  by  intemperance,  and  then  to  tlie  prison 
and  the  gallows.  The  card  table  is  spread  before  him, 
and  he  hears  the  enchanting  rattle  of  the  dice  box,  and  as 
quick  as  the  lightning's  flash,  Imagination  presents  him  with 
that  train  of  frightful  consequences  to  w  hich  tlicy  are  as- 
sociated— wasted  time — ruined  fortune — blasted  reputa- 
tion—exhausted health — tortured  family — insanity,  and 
suicide.     But   if,    heedless    of  Ijcr   warning  portraitures. 


50  ADDRESS  DELIVERED    BY 

youtli  having  })assctl  through  scenes  of  vice,  amVcs  with 
manhood  at  the  regions  of  crime,  yet  mindful  of  her  benefi- 
cent office,  she  is  ever  representing  to  him  the  dangers 
vvhicli  environ  them,  and  the  engines  of  ruiu  and  destruc- 
tion interspersed  tliroughout  them.  She  causes  the  i)risou 
Jiey  to  grate  upon  liis  ear — the  fingers  of  the  hangman  arc 
about  his  necl<,  and,  in  fancy,  he  dies  a  felon's  death,  bo- 
neatii  the  shameful  gallows,  and  iiangs  there,  a  \^arni^g  of 
horror  to  every  passei*  by. 

Eut  the  story  is  scarcely  begun,  of  the  debt  of  mankind 
to  the  faculty  of  Imagination.  As  yet,  we  have  consider- 
ed man  as  a  being  bound  to  this  earth,  with  not  one  hojic 
or  fear  soaring  beyond  it.  But  Imagination  spurns  such 
inglorious  rest,  such  a  poor  limitation  to  her  range  as  this 
wide  earth  and  even  her  stai*ry  canopy  can  fuj-nish.  Not  a 
being  of  all  tliose  to  whom  belong  iheerectos  ad  sidera  vnltus, 
to  whose  bosom  she  has  not  come  with  bright  images  from 
anotlier  world,  and  invited  him  to  mount  with  her  in  a  no- 
ble search  after  higher  destinies.  Ages  were  spent  by  her 
i\\  earnest  but  fruitless  endeavors  to  })ierce  the  mysterious 
veil  suspended  betv.ecn  the  material  and  the  spiritual 
world,  and  like  the  Peri  in  Moore's  beautiful  Poem,  she 
anxiously  sought  the  price  of  admission  to  the  glories  of 
Paradise.  In  her  efforts,  she  peopled  Olympus  with  the 
Gods,  and  Helicon  with  the  Muses.  Slic  breathed  upon 
Egypt,  and  her  river  teemed  with  Divinities,  and  her  fruit- 
ful plains  brought  them  fortii  more  abundant  than  her  har- 
vests. She  looked  upon  the  sun,  the  moon,  and  the  stars, 
and  they  heaved  into  life,  and  the  children  of  Chaldea  kissed 
thcii-  hands  in  devotion  before  them.  In  misciiievous  zeal, 
she  taught  man  to  deify  the  passions  of  his  own  heart,  and 
make  to  them  Jmagcs  of  wood,  and  of  stone,  and  of  brass, 
and  of  gold,  ajid  these  she  exclaimed,  "  be  thy  Gods  oh  Is- 
rael." But  the  angel  of  the  Apocalypse  was  sent  in  pity  to 
teaclj  her  the  way  to  lieaven,  and  guide  her  into  the  knowl- 
edge of  tltc  true  God.   Since  then,  lihe  is  continually  asccn- 


IKW.   llOBKnf    STUAKOK.  51 

(lingtlihlier  and  rctuniing  with  new  fire  to  warm  tliclicarl^i 
of  the  pious,  and  visioiis  ofglory  to  chco'thcm,  uliich  could 
never  he  gathered  fi'om  the  fairest  regions  of  this  lowcrworld. 
By  this  assistauce,siic  carries  us  back  as  we  listen  to  the  in- 
spired Moses, to  the  hegin:ii(!g,when  the  earth  we  inhahit  was 
a  shapeless  mass,  over  wiiich  darkness  brooded  with  eternal 
wing.  A  Spirit,  whose  perfections  defy  even  Imagination 
to  conceive,  or  the  tongues  of  Angels  to  express,  moved  in 
majesty  over  the  formless  ])ile,  aiid  light  sprang  up,  and 
the  traces  of  his  own  matchless  beauty  were  every  where 
instantly  to  be  seen.  Tiie  huge  mass  assumed  the  curvi- 
linear form  ;  here,  a  mountain  rose  in  grandeur,  and  there, 
a  valley  slept  in  everlasting  verdure;  Iiere,  sparkled  the 
restless  waters,  and  there,  tlie  stable  land  was  fixed,  over 
wiiich  they  sliould  never  i)ass.  The  flocks,  the  herds,  tisc 
wild  beasts,  and  the  creeping  things  moved  upon  the  ground, 
and  fishes  innumerable,  and  tlic  monsters  of  the  deep  jjlaycd 
among  its  waters  ;  the  fowl,  with  their  gorgeous  dyes,  and 
the  painted  butterfly,  and  countless  insects  cleft  in  joy  the 
balmy  air.  Last  of  all,  in  the  loveliest  spot  of  the  new- 
formed  Earth,  appeared  a  being,  more  largely  endovvcd 
than  all  things  else  from  the  beauty  and  perfections  of  the 
mighty  Spirit,  whose  presence  had  wrnugiit  these  wonder- 
ful works.  Before  him,  the  lion  cowered  in  submission, 
und  the  tiger  licked  his  feet  ^^ith  aifection ;  all  animated 
creatures  moved  at  his  nod,  and  the  spontaneous  produc- 
itions  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  poured  themselves  into  his 
lap;  and  the  beneficent  Spirit,  from  whoso  power  he  had 
^prung,  condescended  to  converse  with  him  as  a  fellow,  for 
n  him  was  his  own  image  faintly  siiadowed  forth.  But 
he  perfections  of  tliis  migiity  Spirit,  and  all  the  wonders 
)y  which  he  had  surrounded  Isim,  failed  to  content  this 
ord  of  the  creation;  tiie  fornjcr  v.  as  too  lofty  for  his  syni- 
)athies,  and  the  latter  wci'c  wanting  isi  liis  own  immor- 
ality ;  and  care  came  upon  iiim,  and,  amid  wealth  and 
iplendour  and  powci',  and  the  presence  of  his  Creator,  he 


32  ADDRE«!S    nET.lVERED    BY 

was  sad.  *'  It  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,"  said  tlie 
merciful  Spirit,  "I  will  make  an  help  meet  for  him." — 
Discontent  sate  heavy  on  his  soul,  and  tlie  Image  of  his 
Maker  slept.  With  mysterious  power,  the  Spirit  bent  over 
him,  and  near  the  heart  of  the  sleeper,  separated  tlie  skin 
and  the  flesh,  and  gently  removed  one  of  the  ribs  which 
had  given  strength  to  his  immortal  frame.  Under  his  ma- 
gic touch,  the  chasm  closed,  and  the  bloody  rib  was  instantly 
transformed  to  a  beautiful  being,  strongly  resembling  him 
who  still  slept  on,  unconscious  of  pain,  or  that  any  thing 
had  been  taken  from  his  former  proportions.  Less  majes- 
tic than  himself,  with  a  countenance  of  less  vigor,  and  a 
brow  of  less  expanse,  the  new  creature  was  more  delicate 
in  her  proportions,  bore  in  her  countenance  more  of  dove- 
like  innocence  and  angelic  sweetness,  than  he  from  whose 
•side  she  had  come  forth,  while  her  tresses,  far  more  luxu- 
riant than  his,  descended  to  the  ground  in  flowing  ringlets. 
These  were  the  progcnitoi's  of  the  human  race,  on  whom 
one  single  law  of  mercy  was  imposed.  Imagination  fol- 
lows them  through  their  brief  hours  of  bliss,  their  tempta- 
tion, their  fall,  and  the  prophecies  of  their  recovery,  strewed 
along  the  path  of  ages.  She  marks  the  incidents  in  the 
great  plan  of  salvation,  among  which  she  lingers  with  de- 
light, weaving  her  garlands  around  the  humble  bed  of  the 
incarnate  God,  and  listening  with  rapture  to  the  angelic 
choir  heralding  his  birth,  she  follows  him  through  his  suf- 
ferings and  his  trials,  until  he  dies  upon  tiie  cross,  and  is 
laid  to  repose  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane.  She  bursts 
with  him,  in  triumph,  the  rocky  tomb,  and  mounts  with 
exulting  \\  ing  to  the  throne  of  his  glory.  From  time  to 
time,  she  seizes  on  some  incident  in  this  celestial  drama, 
and  appeals  with  it  to  the  heart  of  some  mortal,  whose 
endless  destiny,  by  the  most  astonishing  fatuity,  lias  faded 
from  liis  notice;  and,  touching  in  his  bosom  son^e  one  of 
those  seci'ct  chords  at  whose  motion  all  others  vibrate, 
a\\akeiis  his  dormant  faculties,  and  by  a  seiics  of  associa- 


IIOX.    ROBSIIT    STIlANGIi.  33 

tioiis,  produces  tiiat  magic  cliatige,  which  He,  wlio  best 
knew,  has  pronounced  as  incontprelicnsible  as  the  goings 
of  llie  winds. 

Such  is  Imaginati;)n,  Vvhcn  her  lliglits  arc  directed  hy 
kind  and  iioly  impulses;  but,  ur.ha|)j>ily,  she  is  sometimes 
set  on  fire  of  Iiel!,  and  becomes  the  dcsti-oyer  of  the  physi- 
cal, the  Intellcctnal,  the  temporal,  and  the  eternal  prospects 
of  man.  She  sets  him  upon  wild  and  visionary  plans  in  tiie 
business  of  life,  ou  which  success,  by  the  eternal  laws  of 
nature,  is  forbidden  to  smile  ;  and  consequently,  blighted 
liopes  make  sad  the  heai't,  and  hunger  and  thirst  become 
the  lot  of  the  homeless  wanderer,  whusc  famisliing  wife 
and  children  arc  calling  uj)on  iiiai  for  the  bread  he  cannot 
command  foi-  iiis  own  necessities.  Sometimes,  instead  of 
gathering  honey,  like  the  bee,  from  the  flowers  whicii  bloom 
in  the  garden  of  life — like  the  spider,  s'le  sucks  from  them 
nothing  hut  venom,  poisoning  licr  ow.i  inteilectual  health 
and  tliat  of  others.  Often  does  s'lc  turn  fr!>m  the  beneficent 
office  of  causing  vice  and  ci'ime  to  cast  before  them  those 
.sliadows  of  evil  whicii  ever  atten;!  them,  and  forming  with 
t'aem  a  dangerous  league,  throws  around  tiiem,  for  the  time, 
her  most  seductive  enchantments.  Erato  comes  forth  with 
the  rose  and  the  myrtle  crxircling  her  brow,  and  the  lyre 
and  the  lute  banish  all  tliougiits  hut  those  of  the  passion 
they  inspire.  The  ruby  of  tiic  bowl  acquires  a  dazzlitig 
brightness,  and  tlie  clusters  of  the  vine,  with  its  broad  and 
luxuriant  foliage,  hide  from  tiie  view  t!ic  spirits  of  evil 
who  follow  the  footstej)s  of  Bacciuis.  The  fascinations  of 
tlie  gaming  table  acquire  irresistible  force,  and  the  votary 
of  fortune  is  blinded  to  the  dangers  which  beset  him.  She 
stimukates  the  passions  which  prompt  to  crime,  and  treach- 
erously indicates  some  method  of  escaping  its  punisliment. 
She  arrays  Superstilio::  in  the  garb  of  Religion^  and  gathers 
around  hei',  deluded  followers,  who  offer  upon  her  altars 
the  fruit  of  tlieir  own  bodies,  or  tender  senseless  homage 
(o  stocks  and  stoners  or  the  starry  host :  or,  in  more  natu- 
5 


34  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  HT 

■fal  delusion,  make  idols  of  tlieir  own  appetites,  and  dream 
of  an  eternity  of  sensual  enjoyment,  exquisite  in  proportion 
to  their  desperate  de\()tion  in  this  present  world. 

Since  such  is  the  influence  of  Imagination  over  tlie  des- 
tinies of  man,  how  inexpressibly  important  that  it  should 
be  happily  exerted — that  it  should,  as  Providence  designed, 
be  ever  ready  to  supply  to  Reason,  a  strong  and  steady 
light,  instead  of  betraying  him  into  error  by  a  feeble  flick- 
ering flame,  or  deluding  him  by  sudden,  irregular,  bright 
ami  evaneseentflasb.es.  This  is  the  great  j)urposeof  your 
collegiate  course  ;  it  is  foi'  this  the  public  has  provided 
these  extensive  means  and  appliances  for  learning — that 
parents  and  friends  have  at  expcnce  and  sacrifice,  subject- 
ed you  to  this  discipline.  But  your  own  co-operation  is 
indispensably  necessary.  Indeed,  a  wish  properly  to  reg- 
nlate  your  own  Imagination,  is  the  only  thing  which  can 
afford  the  least  hope  of  success.  S!ic  v.ill  be  ready  enough 
to  suggest  to  you,  that  she  needs  no  regulation,  that  she  is 
already  all  that  she  should  be,  and  inhabits  the  bosom  of 
one  gifted  with  every  human  perfection.  Butlisten  not  to 
this  flattering  falsehood.  Consider  yourself  on  the  con- 
trary, as  you  really  are,  in  the  very  embryo  of  existence,with 
faculties  for  illimitable  improvement,  and  be  sure  that  but 
little  progress  has  been  made,  until  you  begin  to  be  trou- 
bled with  fears,  that  time  has  been  wasted,  and  improve- 
ment neglected.  It  is  not  so  much  the  actual  amount  of 
matter  you  will  here  lay  up  in  the  store  house  of  Memory^ 
that  renders  your  jn-csent  scene  of  life  of  so  much  impor- 
tance; it  is  the  exercise  given  to  your  intellectual  powers, 
and  chiefly,  as  most  efficient  in  themselves,  to  the  Reason 
and  Imagination.  The  faculties  of  our  minds  are  greatly 
under  tlie  dominion  of  habit,  and  the  most  important  oflicc 
«-f  education  is  to  form  for  them  healthful  habits;  to  ex- 
orcise them  in  those  fields  wljerc  their  power  is  hereafter 
to  be  eftcctually  exerted.  Over  none  of  our  faculties  does 
Uvbit  exert  a  ni/trc  pov.crful  sway,  than  over  the  Imagina- 


HON.    KOiiEUT    STRANGE.  55 

tioii.  It  is  said  of  the  great  Captain  of  ancient  times,  Pliyi-- 
I'us  of  Epii'iis,  that  having  been  brought  up  in  canijjs,  his 
Imagination  was  delighted  witii  nothing  but  the  pomp  and 
cii'cumstancc  of  war — embattled  legions — the  clash  of 
arms,  and  tlie  shouts  of  victory.  It  was  for  this  reason 
that  Hamilcar,  the  fatlier  of  the  reiiowned  Hanibal  of  Car- 
thage, took  him  at  nine  years  of  age,  to  swear  upon  the  al- 
tars of  the  Gods  eternal  hatred  against  the  Romans  ;  that 
his  Imagination,  strongly  impressed  by  the  occasion,  might 
habitually  engage  herself  in  the  fabrication  of  schemes,  for 
the  overthrow  of  tliosc  lawless  conquerors.  But  t!ie  pow- 
er of  habit  over  the  Imagination,  is  fully  vindicated  by  the 
doctrine  of  association,  to  whicii  we  have  already  had  oc- 
casion sliglitly  to  refer:  and  may  be  most  strikingly  ex- 
emplified in  cases  where  the  reason  enfeebled,  or  destroy- 
ed, no  longer  exerts  her  wonted  control.  When  the  late 
Chief  Justice  of  England  was  on  the  bed  of  death,  the  stern 
reality  that  it  was  a  closing  scene,  impressed  itself  upon 
his  mind,  and,  obedient  to  habit,  Imagination  immediately 
arrayed  before  him  an  important  forensic  trial,  to  which 
i nothing  remained  but  the  last  act,  tlie  veteran  Judge  was 
wont  to  perform.  His  hand  moved  as  if  making  the  ac- 
customed memorandum:  "  Gentlemen  of  the  Jury,"  he  said 
I  in  expiring  accents,  '*  you  may  retire,"  and  in  another  mo- 
ment, the  learned  Tentcrden  was  no  moie.  The  man  in 
^whom  lleason  and  Imagination  were  so  hapj)ily  blended, 
that  to  him  has  been  conceded  the  intellectual  supremacy 
of  the  age,  in  the  dying  exclamation  tete  de  annee,  gavein- 
contestible  evidence,  if  any  had  been  wanting,  to  the  na- 
ture of  the  visions  with  which  his  Imagination  was 
wont  to  amuse  him.  How  does  the  experience  of  every 
one  bear  witness  to  himself,  that  his  Imagination  has  her 
habitual  haunts  and  objects,  towards  which  she  directs  iier- 
self  on  every  excitement  ?  Some  plan  of  life — some  threat- 
ened evil — some  pi-omised  good — some  beloved  relative — 
ar,  the  tomb  of  a  departed  friend.     Let  then  the  habits  of 


36  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    BY 

your  Imagination,  be  such  as  will  contribute  to  your  use- 
fulness, atul  your  own  happiness.  Exeicise  her  in  those 
regions,  where  it  is  altogether  important  her  future  flights 
should  chiefly  be  taken — in  sober  reflection,  in  the  con- 
templation of  those  subjects  \a  liich  concern  alike  all  condi- 
tions of  life,  which  belong  equally  to  all  rational  and  ac- 
rountabie  beings.  Many  wise  men  have  recommended 
wJiat,  I  conceive.  Reason  does  not  disappi'ove — tiic  habit 
of  \Ariting  down  your  own  reflections.  It  affords  a  better 
o]ipnrtin!ify  of  closely  ohsei'ving,  ;in;1  thcrerorc  of  cori'cct- 
ing  or  enrouragii'.g  tliC  teiii'cncics  of  your  fancy.  It  sup- 
plies you  with  a  treasury,  in  additici^  to  your-own  memo- 
ry, and  one  less  apt  to  let  slip  the  things  committed  to  it, 
on  which  you  may  draw  in  future,  eitiier  for  composition 
or  other  uses.  TIic  habit  of  composition  will  thus  be 
formed — a  thing  altogether  essential  to  the  foi'mation  of  a 
good  wj'i tcr,  and  the  earlier  it  is  commenced,  the  more 
likely- to  be  successfeil  :  ,    . 

T.'ue  grace  in  writing  comcj  l)y  art,  not  cliancc; 
As  those  move  easiest  v>lio  have  learned  to  dance. 

Btit  watch,  anxiously  Vt'atch,  the  propensity  Iniagina- 
tioii  lias  ali-eady  cxbihited  to  throw  her  gorgeous  dra]iery 
arou'.id  the  ])ersr)n  of  \  ice,  and  tlsus  render  her  acceptah'lc 
to  yo5;r  o\vn~boso.m  :^ 

Vice  is  a  monster  of  such  horrid  mien, 

Tliat  to  be  hated  rieeds  l)ul  to  be  seen. 

B'.tt  accommodatiifg  fancy  is  ever  ready  to  fui'nisli  her 
with  a  mask  so  beautified  by  her  j'lastic  hand,  tliat  even  ' 
a  sage  migiit  mistake  her  Cor  an  angel  of  light.  The  sur- 
est method  of  cscaj;ing  thh  ruinous  delusion,  is  to  keep 
your  eye  steadily  npoii  this  active  quality  of  your  n.ature, 
so  active  as  to  dcliglrt  in  snischief  j'ather  than  idleness, 
and  give  her  ensploymcnt  where  her  labors  will  be  useful, 
or  at  the  worst, Jnnoccnt.  Slsc  has  no  particular  love  for 
viee.  but  she  will  siot  be  idic,  and  you  have  only  to  give 
her  emp!()ymcnt  in  the  cause  of  virtue,  l(i  find  her  as  leadv 


HON.    ROBERT    STIIANGE.  57 

to  licigliton  {lie  native  cliarms  of  tlie   one,    aiul  expose  llic 
(Icrormitics  of  iiep  rival,  as,  if  accidentally  caught  by  vice 
\vitIioiit  cniployniciit,  slic  v>()u»il  be  to  (lock  Iici'  (y.T  iii  Imv 
rowed   graces,  and  to  mask  tlie  beauties  of  viitdc.     This 
is  but  another  mode  of  setting  forth  the  oft  i'epeated  warn- 
ing against  the  dangers  of  idleness.     It  is  a  cotninon  mis- 
take, that  in  crowds  only,  amid    t!ie   bustle  or  gaieties  of 
life^  are  our  Imaginations  thus  jiroiic  to  ]!alier  uilii  us — 
Never  are  we  in  so  much  danger  as  when  in  solitude;   all 
j)liysical  objects  being   shut  out   fi-nm   one   to  another,  of 
which  she  may  flit  Vtitli  I'estless   wing,  notliing   is   left   to 
lier  but  to  sport  with  what  she  may  find  within  the  little 
world  of  man.     The  passions  arc  prom[)t  to   offer  them- 
selves,   engcr  for   exercise,  eitlicr  among  tlic  substantial 
objects  of  sense,  or  tlie  bright  images  created  by  fancy;  and 
in  the  downright    earnestness   of  their  own  natures,  wljat 
Imagination  meant  only  in  sport,  they    soon   convert   into 
settled  purposes  of  mischief.     Malice  sees  the  object  of  his 
hatred,   in   unconscious  slumber,    where  caution   has   not 
barred  tlie  door,   and  instinctively  seizes  tlic   dagger   to 
jdungc  into  his  heart,  or  the  subtle  "hebcnon  to  pour  into 
the  pifrches  of  his  ear."    Dishonest  avarice  is  dazzled  w  ith 
the  golden  hoard  lying  where,  unsuspected,  he  imagines  he 
can  make  himself  its  master.    Another  passion,likc  the  false 
Jachimo,  enters  the  chamber  of  unguarded   beauty,   and 
stealthily  advances  to  his  purpose.     Deep,   deep   into  the 
soul  of  him  who  cherishes  tiiem,  these  guilty  pictures  sink  ; 
and,  as  lie  continues  to  contemjjlate  them,  the  dread  reali- 
ties they  shadow  forth, will  find  their  consummatiiju.    IIow 
fully  do  the  legends  of  the  Ilomish  Church  confirm  us  in  this 
statement!  V/hat but  strong  temptations  presented  tlirough 
the  Imaginatio)!,  were  the  devils  who  beset  St.   Dunstan, 
St.  Antiiony  and  otlicrs.   Healthy  employment,  constant  and 
persevering,  is  the  antidote  to  this  habit. 

There  is  a  })r-oneiiess  in  the  Imagination,  to  colour  false- 
ly or  loo  liighlvj  ilic  iiicidcntsof  life,wliich,  if  confirmed  by 


38  ADDRESS    DELIVEIIED    BY 

habit,  must  i-ciuler  its  victim  the  sport  of  every  breeze 
svhich  ruffles  the  current  of  his  existence.  Some  prosper- 
ous event  occurs — he  is  instantly  intoxicated  with  deliri- 
ous joy — the  heavens  above  him  arc  a  wide  expanse  of 
laughing  sunshine,  never  to  be  shadowed  by  the  liglitest 
cloud — the  earth  he  treads  is  paradise  regained — tlie  day 
of  death  is  distant — he  himself  is  richer  than  tlie  Lydian 
moirarch  in  his  palmiest  day  of  wealth — every  man  with 
whom  he  has  dealings  is  more  honest  than  Aristides,  and 
liis  blind  philanthropy  beholds  the  human  race  spotless 
in  virtue;  in  vain  confidence,  he  neglects  all  those  pre- 
cautions dictated  by  the  most  liberal  j)rudcnce — he  becomes 
extravagant  in  every  thing,  and  yields  himself  and  his  af- 
fairs to  that  fortune  of  which  Scylla  boasted,  and  in  which 
Csesar  trusted.  This  you  may  suppose  an  overwrought 
picture  ;  but  the  experience  of  thousands  can  testify  to  its 
correctness,  as  well  as  to  the  disastrous  lot  usually  befall- 
ing those  who  indulge  their  Imagination  in  this  dangerous 
liabit.  On  the  other  hand,  some  slight  adversity  befalls 
iiira,  and  the  whole  cup  of  existence  is  poisoned — the  hea- 
A'ens  lower  witli  the  tempests  of  destruction  ready  to  burst 
upon  him — the  earth  yields  no  increase  to  supply  his  future 
wants — some  destroying  angel  has  swept  over  its  beauty, 
and  no  comeliness  is  left — he  feels  mortal  disease  creejjing 
through  every  nerve  of  Ins  system,  and  over  against  him 
upon  evei'y  wall,  the  fingers  of  a  hand  arc  writing  his  desti- 
ny— his  silver  has  become  dross,  and  all  his  wealth  has 
vanished — his  fricjids  have  forsaken  him,  and  even  the 
wife  of  his  bosom  louks  strangely  upon  him — the  moral  at- 
mosphere has  become  a  leprous  mass — among  all  his  ac- 
quaintances, there  are  none  who  ai-e  honest,  no,  not  one: 
nothing  of  the  beauty  of  virtue  is  left  to  them — "  Man  de- 
lights him  not,  nor  woman  neither;"  in  perfect  desperation 
he  abandons  himself  and  his  affairs,  to  a  destiny  speedy, 
gloomy,  and  irresistible.  Controlled  by  Reason,  Imagi- 
nation would  bce  in  the  events  of  life,  an  overruling  Prov- 


TTON.     Tlor.ERT    STRANGE.  39 

idciicc,  wlio  (lii'ccfs  all  tilings  for  tlie  general  good  of  liis 
ci-eatiires — witliout  wlioni,  not  a  sparrow  fallelii  to  tlie 
earth,  and  by  wliom,  tlic  very  hairs  of  our  heads  arc  num- 
bered— she  would  soar  towards  him  as  a  beneficent  father, 
whose  ciiildren  we  all  are,  allowed  to  share  in  our  liberal 
patrimony,  according  to  our  deserts.  She  would  perceive 
that  he  is  a  Being  who  dclighteth  to  humble  the  proud, 
and  exalt  the  humble,  that  to  him  alone  are  we  to  look 
for  a  continuance  of  prosperity,  while  nodepth  of  adversity 
will  hide  us  from  his  notice,  or  place  us  beyond  the  reach  of 
his  deliverance.  Let  it  be  the  habit  of  your  Imagination, 
thus  comfortably  to  present  the  incidents  of  life  to  your 
consideration. 

When  you  reflect  that  your  usefulness  in  the  society  of 
which  you  arc  destined  to  be  a  member,  will  mainly  de- 
l»end  upon  the  strength  and  conduct  of  your  Imagination 
— that  your  enjoyment  as  an  intellectual  being,  and  per- 
haps tliat  of  others,  will  derive  their  quality  and  quantity 
from  the  same  soui'ce,  that  all  your  moral  tendencies  will 
receive  their  impulses  from  her  breath,  and  that  your  des- 
tinies through  Eternity,  will  probably  be  according  to  the  vi- 
sions she  will  bring  you  from  the  world  of  spirits,  with 
M  hat  zeal  and  carefulness  should  you  cherisli  her,  while  yet  a 
healthful  vigor  may  be  imparted  !  How  anxiously  should 
)()u  watch  the  tendencies  of  her  flights,  and  oicourago 
t'nem,  if  in  tlic  directio?i  of  usefulness,  virtue,  happiness, 
and  Heaven  ;  and  vigorously  check  and  control  them,  if 
tending  towai'ds  mischief,  sin,  sorrow,  and  eternal  ruin. 
As  til  is  faculty  is  to  exert  upon  yourself  and  others,  most 
lU'cvaiiiiig  influence,  most  needful  it  is,  that  she  should 
herself  be  corly  brought  under  proper  government.  It  is 
the  oHlcc  of  Reason  to  control  and  direct  her  flights,  with- 
out at  all  impairing  her  naiivc  vigf)r.  It  is  an  error  to 
suppose,  that  when  people  arc  extravagant  and  visionary 
in  their  thoughts,  plans  and  purposes,  their  Imaginations 
are  too  strong.     No  !  the  fault  is  in  their  Reason,  whicl> 


40  ADDRESS    DELIVERED    BY 

is  citljei'  feeble  by   nature,  oi*  accustomed   to   slumber.— 
Rather  let  Reason  and   Imagination   both   be  strong,   and 
seek  not  to  bi'iiig  t'.iem  to  proper  proportions  by  enfeebling 
tlie  one,  but  by  strcnglliening  tlio  other.    Cherish  Imagina- 
tion, as  you  would  have  your  minds  active  and  capable  of 
great  acliievements;   but  keep  hei'  under  the  control  of 
Reason,  and  let  Reason  also  be  ripe  and  vigilant.     This 
is  witli  you  the  season,  when   tins    wonderful   faculty,  the 
Imagination,  is  eager  for  food,  and  like  the  Eagle  cleav- 
ing the  air,  is  ready  to  pounce  upon   any  quarry;  let  not 
her  unregulated  appetite  prey  upon   garbage,  but  present 
to  her  continually,  the  most  wholesome  food.     Knowledge 
is  the  food  of  Imagination.     Strive  then,  that  your  knowl- 
edge be  of  the  kind  best  suited  to  strengthen   her  in  those 
employments,  in  whicli  it  is  her  destiny  to  be  occupied  in 
your  future  life.     So  far  as  it  is  in  your  powei",  control 
that  destiny  by  choosing    a    profession,  or  other  employ- 
ment, conformably  to  her  natural  bias,  if  you    are  able  to 
discern  one  having  nothing  vicious  in  itself.     If  your  ex- 
istence upon  earth  was  unlimited  in  duration,  then  might 
you  rationally  seek  to  compass   all   cat-thly  knowledge.   ' 
But  it  is  not  so;  human  life  is  but  a  span   long,  while  in 
every  age,  new  pages  are  adding  to  the  book  of  knowl- 
edge.    True  economy,  therefore,  demands  that  you  should 
so  gatlier  knowledge,   as   to   acquire  the  most  valuable 
hoard  in  the  shortest  possible  time.     Tlic  experience  of  ; 
those  to  whom  is  committed  the  care  of  your  education,    j 
enables  them  to  direct  you  in  tins  pursuit,  and  the  office  of  | 
giving  these  directions,  is  among  the  most  responsible  re-   ? 
lationships  one  human  being  can  bear  to  another.     While, 
therefore,  they  arc  no  doubt  painfully  sensible  of  the  weight 
of  this  responsibility,  courtesy  and  self  interest  combine  in  ^ 
dictating  on  your  part,  tlie,  mi.it  respectful  and   diligent  ,: 
jjursuance  of  the  course  they  may  prescribe.     Same  gcuc-  [ 
ral  remarks,  however,  may  not  be  uiibecomlng  the  present 
Tv'bcoftsion.     Experience  has  ajiprovcd  certain  studies,  and 


irON.   ROBERT    STRANGE.  41 

recognized  tlieni  as  llie  proper  rudimcnls  of  cvcrj"  educa- 
tion. These  you  liavc  already  passed  tlirougli,  and  have 
doubtless  become  sensible  of  (heir  inestimable  value  ;  but 
you  cannot  be  as  mucjj  so  as  you  would,  if  suddenly  trans- 
ferred from  the  gloom  of  ignorance  surrounding  so  many 
of  your  fellow  creatures  to  your  present  intellectual  light. 
In  your  progressive  course,  those  general  piinciples  of 
science,  necessary  or  ralher  highly  useful  for  every  man 
to  pos^sess,  have  been  gradually  unf<dded,  but  more  yet  re- 
mains to  be  acquired  ;  and  this,  you  should  assiduously 
reach  after,  but,  especially,  Nvhatever  is  most  likely  to  be 
called  into  requisition  in  that  cast  of  life,  wiiich  clioice  or 
necessity  has  assigned  you.  But  exclusive  devotion,  to 
what  arc  called  the  severe  studies,  could  neither  be  borne 
by  your  physical  constitution,  nor  would  answer  cfTectu- 
ally,  the  great  purpose  of  training  your  Imagination.  For 
this,  what  has  been  called  general  reading,  seems  indis- 
pensable. By  general  reading,  I  uiulerstand  any  reading 
not  confined  to  a  particular  subject.  At  the  head  of  this 
extensive  class,  stands  Histoj'y  or  Biography,  sacred  and 
profane.  "  The  proper  study  of  mankind,  is  man,"  says 
an  approved  and  elegant  writer,  and  History  spreads  out 
a  vast  map  of  human  nature,  where  we  may  trace  all  ac- 
tions to  their  respective  sources.  The  anatomist,  with  his 
dissecting  apparatus,  does  not  more  successfully  lay  open 
the  complicated  machinery  of  these  wonderful  fabricks 
which  constitutes  all  that  is  visible  of  man,  than  History 
enables  us  to  unravel  the  mysteries  of  the  heart,  and  de- 
tect all  those  secret  springs  which  govern  its  impulses; 
while  in  the  paths  of  History,  the  Imagination  finds  inex- 
haustible stores  of  usefulness  and  delight.  I  come  now  to 
a  sj>ccies  of  reading,  about  which  good  men  have  widely 
differed,  and  I  therefore  venture  to  speak  of  it  with  much 
hesitation.  I  mean  works  of  fiction,  whether  in  verso  or 
prose.  My  own  judgment  is,  that  they  are  susceptible  of 
being  made  highly  useful  through  the  Imagination,  both  to 
.6 


4Z  ADDRESS  DEI.IVERET)   BY 

<ho  liead  and  heart,  but  they  are  certainly  liable  to  great 
abuses,  and  should  therefore  be  used  with  caution.  No 
better  rule  can  probably  be  laid  down  in  relation  to  them, 
than,  in  your  choice  of  works,  to  regard  the  previous  con- 
demnation or  approval  of  those,  in  whose  opinions  you  can 
confide,  wliile  in  their  perusal,  you  avoid  substracting  from 
time,  rightfully  belonging  to  more  important  pursuits. — 
But  some  portions  of  your  time  must  be  devoted  to  relax- 
ation, and  in  giving  a  part  of  it  to  the  works  of  moral  fic- 
tion, you  will  enjoy  fine  intellectual  repasts,  and  be  the 
l/ettei>  prepared,  should  you  possess  the  ability  and  incli- 
nation, to  furnisii  similar  entertainments  for  others.  Yet 
I  cannot  forbear  to  warn  you,  that  few  things  so  effectual- 
ly dissipate  the  intellectual  powers,  and  bring  upon  them 
premature  langour,  as  an  indiscriminate  consumption  of 
all  that  comes  from  the  press,  or  any  approximation  to  ex- 
clusive indulgence  in  this  kind  of  reading.  There  are 
books,  of  whose  utility  none  can  doubt,  in  which  the  Iia- 
agination  will  find  more  delight,  than  any,  save  one,  which 
tiie  press  can  furnish,  and  of  which  he,  who  is  ignorant, 
hath  no  pretensions  to  be  called  a  man  of  wisdom,  how- 
ever deeply  he  may  have  plunged  into  the  mystical  lore  of 
ancient  times,  or  however  assiduously  he  may  have  fol- 
lowed the  legendary  stream  to  the  present  day.  One  of 
tliese  is  the  book  of  nature,  that  vast  volume  written  in 
characters  so  variegated,  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  gv- 
ery  beholder.  But  alas  !  how  few  so  read  them  as  fo' 
penetrate  much  of  their  important  meaning.  Little  infe- 
rior in  importance  is  the  book  of  man. 

Your  face,  my  Thane,  is  as  a  book  where  men 
May  read  strange  matters, 

said  Lady  Macbeth  to  her  agitated  husband  :  and  the  face, 
the  heart,  tlie  conduct  of  man,  all  jircscnt  interesting  and 
instructive  lessons  to  him  who  has  wit  to  read  them.  As 
we  have  already  said,  in  speaking  of  history,  it  presents, 
as  it  were,  a  map  of  human  nature;  but  as  the  traveller 


HON.    KOBERT    STUANGE.  4S 

acquires  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  the  counti-ics  he  ac- 
tually visits  than  the  most  accurate  geographical  repre- 
sentation could  afford  him,  so,  as  far  as  experience  may  he 
extended  in  the  study  of  human  nature,  it  surpasses  his- 
tory. But  as  maps  and  geographical  treatises  greatly  as- 
sist the  traveller  in  acquiring  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
countries  he  visits,  so  is  it  advantageous  tliat  the  study  of 
human  nature  and  History  or  Biography  should  go  hand 
in  hand.  The  book  of  nature,  including  the  book  of  man, 
constituted  in  ancient  times  the  only  library  of  the  Phi- 
losopher, and  has  furjiishcd  most  that  is  valuable  in  the 
printed  libraries  of  the  present  day.  But  it  is  yet  an  ex- 
haustless  mine  of  knowledge,  ever  yielding  and  still  retain- 
ing incalculable  moral  and  intellectual  wealth.  From  hence 
Imagination  draws  her  most  abundant  supplies  ©f  food, 
and  all  the  materials  for  her  wonderful  creations.  Read, 
then,  these  books  attentively;  but  above  all,  read  tiie  book 
of  God,  which  is  able  to  make  you  wise  unto  salvation. — 
Within  it,  is  condensed  all  that  it  is  indispensable  for  man 
to  know.  It  is  a  copious  glossary  for  the  book  of  nature, 
and  he  who  knoweth  wliat  is  in  man,  hath  therein  trans- 
cribed what  few  have  the  acutcness,  the  firmness,  and  the 
honesty  to  find  in  the  original  volume.  Believe  me,  as 
mere  furniture  of  the  mind,  for  this  world's  uses,  the  Bible 
surj)asses  every  other  single  volume  upon  earth.  Thereivi 
the  Imagination  and  all  its  other  powers  find  appropriate  ali- 
ment ;  and  if  it  be  true,  as  has  been  wittily  remarked,  that 
it  is  dangerous  to  encounter  in  debate  the  man  who  reads 
but  one  book,  how  vast  must  be  the  dialectic  power  of  him 
whose  one  book  is  the  Bible  ?  But  there  must  com«  a  time 
to  every  one  living,  when  Imagination,  clinging  to  him, 
althougii  Reason  may  have  deserted,  will  occuj^y  a  place 
by  his  feverish  couch,  and  scatter  thorns  or  roses  on  his 
j)illow — will  bring  before  him  visions  of  bliss  or  shadows 
of  tormc!itiiig  hoiror.  And  this  imi)ortant  altei'uative  is 
-altogether  dependant  upon  llic  lountain  from  which  she  io 


44  AUDKKSS   DEIiIVEKED   KY 

wont  to  draw  her  supplies  during  the  season  of  health  and 
strength.  The  same  cause  more  powerfully  affects  another 
alternative,  whose  importance  language  is  incompetent  to 
express — when  Time  shall  have  furled  his  exiiausted  pin- 
ions, and  Hope  and  Imagination  shall  have  dropt  their 
plumage,  and  on  every  thing  shall  fall  one  present,  unvary- 
ing reality  of  hliss  or  misery,  inconceivable  and  ever- 
lasting. 

Having  now  imperfectly  fulfilled  my  undertaking,  at 
the  expence  of  much  more  time  than  I  had  intended — for 
wliich  1  ci"ave  your  pardon — I  am  placed  by  the  faculty  of 
which  we  liave  been  speaking,  at  a  point  of  affecting  inter- 
est. We  have  met  here  for  an  instant,  like  bubbles  float- 
ing on  some  vast  expanse,  and  will  soon  be  borne  by  ca- 
j)i  icious  currents  in  different  directions,  never  again  to  be 
all  collected  in  one  eai'thly  assemblage.  Cold  must  be  the 
heart  nntoucbcd  by  this  consideration,  and  that  is  not 
moved  to  leave  bcliind  it  sonse  token  of  remembrance. — 
Volumes  of  thought  rush  in  upon  the  soul,  and,  with  un- 
•deferred  claims  for  precedence,  each  denies  utterance  to 
anothej-.  Imagination  loves  to  contemplate  the  young — 
she  is  an  earthly  (juality,  and  loves  the  earth,  and  delights 
licrself  in  visions  of  earthly  glory.  For  the  young  she 
can  weave  tiie  garlands  of  hope,  and  open  before  them  long 
vistas  of  briglit  and  happy  days,  and  at  their  termination, 
can  interweave  all  flowers  of  earthly  beauty,  to  conceal 
realities  that  lie  beyond.  But  for  the  grey  head,  she  can 
weave  no  gajdaml  but  of  gloomy  cypress.  The  proximity 
of  the  cottin  and  the  grave  defy  all  her  powers  of  enchant- 
ment to  conceal  them,  and  in  despair  she  returns  to  nestle 
in  the  bosom  of  t!ie  young. 

I  know  tliat  to  each  one  of  you  she  is  presenting  some 
.object  after  which  your  heart  is  panting,  and  holds  out  the 
appropriate  wreath  to  crown  you  with  success ;  but  whe- 
ther of  the  myrtle,  tl^e  vine  leaf,  or  tlie  laurel,  is  only 
known  with  certainty  to  yourselves.     But  spectators  look 


HON.    ROBERT   STRANGE.  45 

on  in  trembling  anxiety,  lest  some  unworthy  prize  should 
be  the  object  of  your  pursuit,  and  injuriously  affect  your 
preparation  for  the  race  of  life.  To  them,  Imagination 
presents  you  as  so  many  beings  containing  within  you 
gems  of  utility  and  happiness,  or  of  mischief  aiul  misery, 
boundless  as  the  universe  and  lasting  as  eternity,  and  slie 
is  lierself  confounded  in  pursuing  them  to  their  limitless 
devclopements.  When  we  cast  our  eye  upon  the  simple 
acorn,  and  give  our  fancy  wing  to  the  time  when  it  shall 
strike  its  roots  deep  into  the  earth,  and  send  forth  its 
branches  high  up  to  heaven,  pleasing  wonder  is  the  inevi- 
table attendant.  But  when  we  go  still  farther,  and  see  in 
it  the  parent  of  a  forest,  which,  in  its  turn,  furnishes  the 
germs  of  other  forests,  until  no  space  is  kft  to  receive  them. 
Imagination,  abandoning  the  tantalizing  pursuit,  turns  to 
contemplate  the  destiny  of  some  single  tree,  and  beholds  it 
wasting  itself  in  useless  cumbrance  of  the  ground,  and 
sinking  into  unregretted  decay,  or  else  answering  some 
beneficent  purpose  of  utility,  and  attracting  around  it  the 
affections  of  men.  Perhaps  from  tl»e  patriot's  breast  she 
sees  it  bearing  upon  the  ocean  the  snowy  canvass,  and 
sending  from  its  bosom  the  naval  thunder  against  the  ene- 
mies of  his  country.  "We  look  upon  the  bubbling  fountaiu, 
and  pursue  in  Imagination  the  glad  young  waters,  along 
their  course,  to  their  ocean  home.  Perhaps  they  irrigate 
smiling  landscapes,  and  reflect  tlie  homes  of  happy  thou- 
sands, and  lending  tlieir  bosom  to  the  nourishment  of  com- 
merce, contribute  to  the  growth  of  knowledge  and  the  arts. 
But  perhaps,  alas!  they  steal  sluggishly  along  the  barren 
wastes  themselves  have  poisoned,  and  scattering  pestilence 
througli  the  air  which  hangs  above  them,  drive  far  away 
the  foot  of  industry,  or  slay  unhappy  wretches  who,  through 
accident  or  necessity,  venture  to  approach  them.  And  so, 
when  we  look  upon  tlie  young  man  in  his  strength,  we  see 
him  vegetating  in  indolence,  or  scattering  moral  poison 
through  the  atmosphere  he  breathes,  or  spreading  forth 


46  ADDRESS  BY   HON.  ROBERT    STRANGE. 

his  branches  like  a  tree  planted  hy  a  river,  increasing  in 
all  that  can  give  him  utility  and  comeliness.  We  consider 
him  as  the  progenitor  of  a  race  whom  no  man  can  number, 
swelling  the  hosts  of  heaven  or  the  legions  of  hell.  Ima- 
gination recoils  in  amazement;  but  Reason  recognizes  tbe 
truth  of  the  picture,  and  founds  on  it  an  appeal,  which, 
while  it  swells  the  heart  with  pride,  oppresses  it  with  a 
sense  of  tremendous  responsibility.  But  Imagination,  fol- 
lowing the  individual  in  his  course,  presents  him  passing 
through  life  as  a  feverisli  dream,  and  when  it  is  over,  con- 
tinuing to  sleep,  unwept  of  those  whom  lie  leaves  behind. 
But  she  lays  before  us  a  portraiture  of  still  greater  horror, 
and  we  see  him  stalking  over  the  earth,  a  moving  pesti- 
lence, miserable  himself,  and  marring  the  happiness  of. 
others;  trampling  beneath  his  feet  all  that  is  lovely  and 
iionorable;  hating  and  being  hated,  until,  falling  into  some 
pit  he  had  digged  for  another,  he  exchanges  the  gloom  of 
his  present  existence,  through  which  gleams  of  hope  have 
occasionally  flashed,  and  over  which  Imagination  has 
thrown  now  and  then  her  prismatic  radiance,  for  a  state 
of  darkness  and  misery,  horrid,  uninterrupted  and  eternal. 
And  now.  Imagination  closes  with  her  most  glorious  vision: 
She  exhibits  him  in  honorable  rivalry  of  Faust,  Bacon, 
iiocke,  Newton,  Washington,  Franklin  and  Fulton,  in 
deeds  of  usefulness  ;  and  of  Milton,  Shakspeare  and  Scott, 
in  the  beauties  of  moral  fiction.  The  trophies  of  his  vir- 
tuous achievements  are  in  every  land,  and  nations  acknowl- 
edge him  as  their  benefactor.  He  is  gathered  to  his  fatliers 
in  a  good  old  age,  and,  entering  upon  a  state  of  more  en- 
larged existence,  is  crowned  by  the  hand  of  Everlasting 
Mercy  with  wreaths  of  unfading  Amarynth,  gathered  by  > 
Faith  and  Hope  from  gardens,  whose  beauty  and  fragrance 
surpass  the  highest  sjretoh  of  Imagination. 


•<«^j^^;*^|U||.v 


